Paul Ippolito Talks Boutique Wine

With Paul Ippolito

Something Different

Dominique Portet Yarra Valley Shiraz 2005

From this respected Yarra Valley producer, winemaker Dominique Portet has crafted an elegant wine of substance and gravitas. Raspberries, sour cherries, blackberries, black olives along with a touch of game, forest floor and red earth all auguring for a complex nose. Deep and distinct fruit, concentrated yet with a savoury dimension. Soft red cherries dominate the palate along with a delicious mouthfeel and a refined length of finish. Try this with veal parmigiana.
 
Drink to 2015+. About $42. 92/100 - Excellent.

Kabminye Barossa Valley Schliebs Block Red Blend 2004

This is boutique Barossa at its best. A blend of Mataro, Carignan, Cinsaut and Black Frontignac make up this quality red blend. Intense deep and dark fruits dominate as well as being broodingly aromatic. Raisiny milk chocolate, ripe lush blackberries, gorgeous plums and raspberries all make an appearance. An elegant well blended seamless red. Melded oak, well integrated into the smooth black and red fruits. Ultra fine tannins linger as well. An eminently drinkable stunning red wine whose purity of fruit is just magic. Try this with Wagyu beef.

Drink to 2016 Plus. About $22. 95/100 - Superb.

Kid You Not "Wise Madame Winkle" Viognier Rousanne 2005

I kid you not; this is the name of this winery. And a very neat white blend it is that makes for balanced easy drinking. Plenty of luscious stone fruits - apricots abound, along with spices as nutmeg and cinnamon, marmalade and pure honey. Smooth soft and well rounded with supporting lively acidity, a lingering medium bodied white that would go perfectly with combination seafood Vietnamese style.

Drink Now. About $22. 90/100 - Very Good.

Koonowla The Ringmaster Cabernet Sauvignon 2005.

This one comes from a small Clare Valley producer. Liberal doses of blackcurrant, blackberry, spicy plums and raspberries abound along with an earthiness and black liquorice. Cedary oak supports the fruit along with some meaty and gamey characters ensuing. A medium bodied quite elegant wine with fine tannins and good oak, all making for very respectable red wine drinking.

Drink Now to 2013. About $17. 88/100- Very Good.

McKellar Ridge Shiraz Viognier 2005

Canberra made by Brian Johnston. 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.

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

Miceli Iolanda Pinot Grigio 2006

This is spot on Pinot Grigio. Lightly rich, smooth and long. Good fresh yet soft acidity with a tanginess on the finish. Dry in style, you also get crisp apple, pear, citrus lemons and a minerallyness along with a hint of ripeness and sweetness in mouthfeel. A very drinkable white. Try this with Thai Green Curry.

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

Mistletoe Reserve Chardonnay 2006

An impressive and vibrant Chardonnay from the Hunter Valley. Polished fruit with purity whilst also retaining its varietal characters. Soft fresh acidity supports the lovely stone fruits. A mouth watering delicious palate with a good lean taut structure. Well balanced with integrated oak makes for very easy drinking on the finish.

Drink to 2012. About $24. 90/100.

Mitolo Jester Sangiovese Rose` 2007

Young fresh and lively, you get glorious vital strawberry and raspberry fruit characters, a hint of confectionery, and a touch honey dew melon. Soft acidity well rounded in mouthfeel and dry on the finish, this is a lovely Rose` with raspberries and strawberries finishing long. Try it with gourmet pizza.

Drink Now. About $21. 92/100 – Excellent.

Nangawarry Pinot Noir 2005

The McLachlan family of Mt Gambier make this cool Climate Pinot Noir from their own vineyards. Evocative fresh red cherries envelope the senses. Strawberries, frangipanis, violets follow as do sentiments of mushroom, game and rhubarb adding to the wine's complexity. Classy and upfront in its presentation, there is seamless oak, lovely red cherry flavours coupled with lively acidity and ultra fine tannins. A very good Pinot Noir indeed and especially considering the price tag. Try this with Peking duck.

Drink Now to 2012. About $20. 90/100 - Very Good.

Paxton McLaren Vale Chardonnay 2006

Tight and elegant on opening, indeed quite closed in its initial stages. Then it unwinds into a classically varietal wine with resplendent stone fruits, a hint of melon, a touch of minerality and lingering citrus fruit. Quite well structured on the palate with seamless integrated oak and a tangy finish.

Drink to 2012. About $29. 90/100 - Very Good.

Schild Estate Merlot 2005

Made by Barossa winemakers Ed and Michael Schild, this is an excellent Merlot with deep rich and brooding plummy fruit. Aromatically soft black cherries also ensue, along with hints of beetroot, earthiness and sweet black liquorice. Velvety ripe fruit, smooth plums coating the palate supported by spicy oak and good tannins. All making for delicious drinking. Try this with marinated bbq steak with garlic mash.

Drink to 2015. About $20. 93/100.  

Shottesbrooke "Punch" Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

From this McLaren Vale winery, is their premium Cabernet which is only released in years of the grapes being of exceptional quality. Black fruits abound in the form of blackcurrants, blackberries, spicy plums and mulberries. A fair bit of cedary oak along with cigar box nuances and fine grainy tannins. Coffee mocha, plums and currants on the finish, this is a well structured and crafted red. Try it with grilled marinated pork ribs.
 
Drink Now to 2017. 91/100 - Excellent. About $38.

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 and come 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.

Squitchy Lane Vineyard Chardonnay 2006

From this boutique Yarra Valley winery comes this very good Chardonnay. Full of classic peach melon varietal fruit, it emits tight knit restrained characters that slowly unwind into a more fulsome wine. Judiciously oaked, there but not overbearing with a tanginess that adds to the stone fruit flavours on the palate along with fresh and lively acidity. A good length to a wine that makes for  easy drinking. Try it with gnocchi with four cheeses.

Drink Now to 2012. About $30. 90/100- Very Good.

Tranquil Vale Semillon 2006

Boutique Hunter Valley Semillon by Phil Griffiths. A light and breezy Semillon that is young, fresh and vibrant in composition. Full of citrus characters, plenty of green herbs, straw and a light hint of tropical fruit. Pure fruit at that accompanied by lively acidity. The lemons and limes linger on the finish to make for a refreshing well made Semillon. Try this with grilled marinated chicken breast.

Drink to 2014. About $17. 89/100 - Very Good.

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.