Paul Ippolito Talks Wines

With Paul Ippolito

Something To Impress

Shaw and Smith M3 Chardonnay 2006
Light nectarine characters emanate at first, slowly unwinding to reveal more glorious stonefruits. Seamless well melded oak accompanies along with cashew nuances and subtle grilled nuts. An elegant wine with finesse and light tangy acidity. Soft in mouthfeel and well rounded on the finish, this is an eminently drinkable Chardonnay. Try it with a seafood platter.

Drink to 2010. About $38. 93/100 - Excellent.

Top Red Blend

Marius Symposium Shiraz Mourvedre 2005
Roger Pike, winemaker from this McLaren Vale winery has crafted this respectable dark crimson purple red. Deep dark spicy fruit abounds – think blackberries, currants, mulberries, plums and blueberries. Cedary oak – glossy with hints of mocha as well. A savoury edge to the fruit on the palate with aniseed, liquorice and dried herbs as well along with a subtle earthiness. A classy and elegant wine – stylish with fine lingering tannins. Highly drinkable stuff. Try it with oven roasted lamb shanks.

Drink to 2020. About $30. 93/100 – Excellent.

Bargain Red

WaterWheel Memsie Bendigo Shiraz Cabernet Malbec 2006
WaterWheel make excellent quality highly affordable and consistent wines. This Bendigo producer just can’t put a foot wrong with its wines, mind you winemaker and owner Peter Cumming has had some 25 years plus practice at it, and it shows in their wines. Pure and inky purple, this red blend is still in its youth. Ripe blackcurrants, blueberries, liqueury plums flow as does hints of liquorice and milk chocolate. Fresh, vibrant and uplifted fruit, it is seamlessly oaked, has fine tannins and a satiny glossy finish and is the product of some ultra good blending. Try this with a good piece of steak.

Drink to 2014. About $12. 93/100 – Excellent.

Something To Cellar

Penfolds Bin 51 Eden Valley Riesling 2007 
This is a classic example of Riesling by Penfolds. Citrus lemons and limes, green apple and wet stones - tight and elegant in structure on opening. Lovely soft well rounded acidity supporting the citrus fruit very well. Delicious on the palate. Seamless Riesling drinking with a very long future. Try it with eggplant moussaka.

Drink to 2020. About $32. 93/100 - Excellent.

Affordable White

Rosemount Sauvignon Blanc 2006 
Gloriously uplifted fresh pure fruit - gooseberries, tropical fruits - stunningly good aromatics. With loads of supporting good lively acidity as well that counter balances the fruit characters. One lovely Sauvignon Blanc that makes for easy drinking as you let the fresh uplifted Savvy Blanc characters abound from the glass. Try this with grilled prawn skewers.

Drink Now. About $15. 91/100 - Excellent.

Nice Chardonnay Drinking

Gartelmann Chardonnay 2003
Gartelmann is a boutique Hunter Valley wine producer. This Chardonnay is testimony to the high calibre of their wines. At over 4 years of age, it could be mistaken for one half its age with its fresh and vibrant characters and may I say the melding of the oak and fruit is going along just fine. Mid lemon yellow, a complex well structured wine with tailored oak, lashings of citrus lemons along with nectarine and melons. Refined and balanced, very drinkable. With good lively acidity supporting the fruit, a light creamy finish, all that is left to say is pour me another glass please.

Drink to 2012. About $26. 93/100 – Excellent.
 

Top Spring Rose'

Mitolo Jester Sangiovese Rosè 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 Rosè with raspberries and strawberries finishing long. Try it with gourmet pizza.
 
Drink Now. About $21. 92/100 – Excellent.

Something Different

Coolangatta Estate Grown Semillon 2005
Vibrant fresh succulent lemons and limes abound from this South Coast NSW Semillon from this well respected producer. A touch of grapefruit adds to it as does the edge of minerality. Soft and well rounded fruit, nicely balanced with a delightful lemon sherbet tanginess on the finish and good lively acidity. All of this makes for a highly drinkable Semillon.

Drink Now to 2013. About $18. 90/100 - 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.