Paul Ippolito Talks Wine

With Paul Ippolito

Value Red Drinking

Grant Burge Barossa Vines Grenache Mourvedre Shiraz 2006

Deep fragrant vibrant cherries and strawberries all presented in an evocative and fresh and lively manner. Medium bodied, stylish and well blended here is a red blend that is not a big blockbuster of a wine but rather a very nice easy well structured red with a long finish of red and black fruits. Neat well crafted and a red wine that suits the Australian globally warm climate. Try it with bbq beef kebabs.

Drink to 2010. About $22. 90/100 – Very Good.

Neat White Blending

Tatachilla Growers Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2006

Lifted tropical and citrus fruit nuances. Fresh and young and lively. Lovely passionfruit characters along with a hint of ripe lime juice and a soft creaminess on the finish. Try it with Chinese king prawns.

Drink Now. About $13. 87/100 – Good.

Boutique Hunter Red

Gartelmann Diedrich Shiraz 2003

This comes from a high quality boutique winery in the Hunter Valley. Raspberry, blueberries and blackberries, elegant and well structured in presentation. Spice filled delicate red earth as well along with liquorice, aniseed and smooth long red and black fruits. Ultra fine tannins and seamless oak developing well. Try it with grilled lamb fillets.

Drink to 2013. About $30. 92/100 – Excellent.

Margaret River Red Blend

Watershed Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2003

A Margaret River Western Australian red full of blackcurrants, mulberries and spicy plums. Smooth soft well rounded with a seamless texture and a delicious flawless mouthfeel. Fine tannins, melded oak and a very nice medium bodied red wine to try with a grilled sirloin.

Drink to 2011. About $24. 90/100 – Very Good.

Value White Drinking

Beelgara Estate Winemaker Selection Pinot Grigio 2006

Pears, lemons, hint of musk, apricots and lightly honey on a good nose. Soft mellow acidity follows, a light tanginess and a long smooth finish. Quaffable easy drinking. Try it with honey prawns.

Drink Now. About $16. 87/100 – Good.

Impress the Boss

Saltram Of Barossa The Eight Maker Shiraz 2003

Rich ripe succulent luscious glorious blueberries, blackberries, plums and milk chocolate. Deep intense and robust. Hints of black liquorice and aniseed. Coffee mocha oak unwinding beautifully in tandem with the black fruits. Ultra fine tannins with a luxuriantly velvety smoothness on the finish. Smooth long in an elegant way with restrained power. Well structured and presented. A wine with a long future. Try it with bbq rack of lamb.

Drink to 2023 Plus. About $68. 95/100 – Superb.

Beautiful Chardonnay Drinking

D’Arenberg Lucky Lizard Chardonnay 2006

Vibrant fresh and worldly. Wild fermented lees complexity ensues from the aromas. A complex Chardonnay with voluptuous peach melon, citrus lemons, cashew oak and yet an elegant structure with a delicious array of flavours on the mid length finish. Really lovely drinking with a seasoned roast chicken.

Drink to 2012. About $25. 91/100 – Excellent.

Boutique Red

Philip Shaw No 17 Merlot Cabernet Franc Cabernet 2005

This took a while to unwind. Pure spicy fragrant plums abound, violets, blueberries as well. A truly delightful nose that reminds me of Provence in France. Fresh, invigorating and well structured with well melded integrated oak. Raspberries and plums abound on the finish along with fine tannins. Enjoy this with seasoned roast chicken.

Drink to 2009. About $25. 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.