Paul Ippolito Talks Wine: Volume 5

With Paul Ippolito

Something Special To Impress

Fox Creek McLaren Vale Shiraz 2004
A gorgeous glass staining blackish inky purple. Vibrant and fresh aromas - deep and intense. A spice filled lifted nose ensues with plenty of blueberry, blackberry, ripe plums and sweet black liquorice. Pronounced firm oak and coffee mocha nuances in the background support the fruit. Good alcohol exists, noticeable but in check. A velvety smooth well rounded mouthfeel ensues along with fine yet assertive tannins and delivers a long lingering length of finish. Very user friendly to drink especially with roast lamb. Will go the long haul in the cellar. About $70. Drink 2006-2019. 93/100.

Discover Something Big And Bold

Jim Barry The McRae Wood Shiraz 2003
This is a big bold full bodied red from the Clare Valley in South Australia. It is still young with a glorious deep dark blackish purple colour. The aromatics are fantastic and broodingly so. They seethe of blackberries, blackcurrant and plums, all pure - spicy and intense. A big wine, really big and this reflects on the nose and the palate. Indeed this is not a wine for the faint hearted. Luscious succulent dark fruits along with milk chocolate flavours, well rounded in mouthfeel and all encompassing with the oak in it being integrated and it all delivering a long drinkable finish. Try it with Wagyu beef. Drink 2006-2018. About $45. 91/100.

Put This Away In Your Cellar

Yalumba The Signature Cabernet Shiraz 2002.
Old timers like me (yes I feel old today) look forward to the yearly release of this very good red blend from Yalumba. Why, because it is well blended, consistent in quality, cellars well and is value for money in the red premium wine market stakes (oh and it tastes really good as well). A brooding deep dark crimson red, the fruit characters are pure and reflect an array of blackcurrants and blackberries. Succulent, luscious and velvety smooth on the palate, it is a well rounded wine with firm yet velvety tannins and seamless oak. Beautiful drinking from a very good vintage and some pretty good winemaking to boot. Drink 2006-2017. Around $47. 94/100.

Celebrate Spring With This

Wirra Wirra Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Very pale straw reflecting its youthful vibrancy. Aromatic, vibrant and fresh. Classic, tropical fruits, capsicum and a touch of gooseberry with some mineral overtones. Crisp acidity supports the fruit. Gooseberry and tropical fruit on the palate delivered in a quenching like manner. Quite succulent and delicious to drink. Try it with salt and pepper squid. Drink 2006-2008. Around $24. 91/100.

Treat Yourself

Shaw And Smith M3 Chardonnay 2005
The Adelaide Hills produces truly good Chardonnay grapes (as well as Sauvignon Blanc). Martin Shaw and Michael Hill-Smith have capitalised upon this year in year out to come out again with this stunningly good and serious Chardonnay. Bright lemon yellow, this is classically varietal wine. Tight young nectarine and melon nuances with hints of green olive and cashews and ever so subtle tropical hints of pineapple. Good supporting acidity - soft yet pronounced, good oak, there but not overbearing all leading to a seamless balanced eminently drinkable wine with a long finish. Drink 2006-2012. About $38 (but worth it). 93/100.

Value Drinking

Morris Liqueur Muscat
A glorious burnt golden orange. Powerful, complex, luscious and intense. Obvious deep fragrant concentrated potent fruit. Velvety and seamless in mouthfeel. Lingers on and on with a seemingly endless length. Medium sweet with loads of honey, toffee, molasses, raisins and a certain nuttiness. Drink this on its own with an after dinner coffee. Overall an impressive wine delivered in a classy 500 ml bottle at a very good price of about $16.99. 94/100.

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.