Paul Ippolito Talks Wine: Volume 4

With Paul Ippolito

Something Special To Impress

Charles Melton Wines Nine Popes Grenache Shiraz 2003
A deep dark brooding purple colour exhibiting youthfulness. The dark black berry fruits flood the aroma profile of this wine. Quite pronounced fruit driven characters with blackberry, plums and red sour cherries dominate. Good firm fresh uplifting acidity in the foreground with seamless oak in the background. An elegantly structured wine, well rounded on the palate with silky fine tannins. Drink 2006-2013. Try it with a beef casserole. Around $45. 90/100.

Boutique Drinking

Penley Estate Over the Moon Rose`2006
A bright superbly pink coloured wine that is composed predominantly of a blend of Cabernet, Pinot Noir and Merlot red grapes. It oozes strawberries and raspberries in aromas. Lively, fresh and quite dry in mouthfeel, it is an easy drinking style of wine. A very good Summer's afternoon's drop to have with grilled bbq scallops. About $15. 88/100.

Discover Something New

Parri Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2006
A pale straw dry fresh vibrant Savvy Blanc. Lots of tropical fruits - pineapple, guava and passion fruits. Soft acidity, well rounded and smooth on the finish. An easy drinking Sunday afternoon drop to have either on its own or to try with sautéed crab Chinese style. Drinking well now. Around $16. 88/100.

Put This Away In Your Cellar

Nepenthe "The Fugue" Cabernet Blend 2002
Emanating from this quality Adelaide Hills producer, this Cabernet Merlot Franc and Malbec red blend is a dark garnet red colour. Complex, vibrant and spicy on the nose. It evokes tomato bush, deep dark earthy notes, dried herb nuances, cedary oak and a savoury dimension. Quite a distinctive and concentrated fruit set with a hint of liquorice. Nicely blended and ageing well, it is seamless and has smooth lingering tannins on the finish. Try it with braised lamb shanks. Drink 2006-2012. Around $25. 90/100.

Treat Yourself

Majella The Musician Coonawarra Cabernet Shiraz 2005
A gorgeous purple crimson. Young, fresh and vibrant in composition. Classic blackcurrant, plums and blueberries all aromatic in nature. A good dose of spice along with cedary oak, quite seamless tannins, well blended and a lingering length of black fruits and liquorice. Around $18 and bargain quality red wine drinking at that price. Drink 2006-2013. 92/100.

Value Drinking

Jamieson's Run Limestone Coast Chardonnay 2005
A gorgeously mid yellow colour. Classically varietal with minerally notes making it quite an elegant Chardonnay at an affordable price. Tight citrus aromas with lemons and grapefruit emanate at first then layers of peach melon ensue as the wine softens in the glass. Turns into quite a luscious drop with vanilla sweet oak notes, a subtle creamy finish and a long lingering length. Try it with king prawn risotto. Drink 2006-2010. Around $16. 92/100.

Rating Scale - Points Out Of 100.

98-100 - Exceptional
95-97 - Superb
91-94 - Excellent
88-90 - Very Good 
85-87 - Good

Paul Ippolito is a Sydney wine writer who writes for publications across Australia, overseas and the Internet. He has spoken on ABC radio and writes a free monthly wine newsletter. Email him to subscribe..

About Paul Ippolito.