Paul Ippolito Talks Wine "Christman Edition"

With Paul Ippolito

Celebratory Bubbles

Chandon NV Rosè

Light salmon pink, gorgeously so. Tightly knit, fine, toasty with a dry long finish. Nice Chardonnay and Pinot Noir characters – the strawberries, delicate in their prominence. Delicious with an elegant long finish. Try this with freshly smoked salmon.

Drink Now. About $30. 92/100 – Excellent.

Top Of The Shelf Riesling

Leo Buring DWK 17 Leonay Eden Valley Riesling 2007

Light elegant and classy. Tight lime and lemon and green apples. Fine, pure and a touch of steeliness as well as certain minerality. Soft lively acidity supports making for a beautifully structured wine with along finish. Smooth and creamy on the finish with a good cellaring future.

Drink to 2027. About $35. 95/100 – Superb.

Boutique White

Koonowla Clare Valley Riesling 2006

Forward fresh limes, a touch developed but yet with a lovely toastiness and with plenty of lifted fruit. Hints of citrus lemons, good crisp acidity and liveliness all add to the positive virtues of this Riesling. A well balanced very drinkable Riesling at that with a good lingering length of finish. Try this with pan fried whiting.

Drink to 2012. About $22. 90/100- Very Good.

Quality White Blend

Cape Mentelle Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2007

Tropical fruits abound, typical herbaceous and grassy overtones as well along with hints of minerality. Lifted fruit, crisp, long and lingering with a good finish presented with elegance and character. A well blended white wine that really delivers on the drinkable stakes. It is very Margaret River in profile and really reflects how good the fruit from this area is. Try this with pan fried barramundi fillets.

Drink Now. About $25. 91/100.

Something To Impress

O’Leary Walker Claire Reserve Shiraz 2004

Intense deep dark brooding fruit characters, supported by cedary oak, coffee nuances as well as liquorice, raspberries, blackcurrants and blueberries. Deep, firm and robust in structure – tight unwinding yet developing well. Still young and needs a fair bit of time to hit its straps but most enjoyable nonetheless right now. Seamless drinking with red and black fruits flowing long on the finish. Try it with Wagyu beef.

Drink to 2024. About $90. 93/100 – Excellent.

Affordable Chardonnay

D'Arenberg The Olive Grove Chardonnay 2006

Quite luscious and lightly rich. Green olives abound – surprise surprise. Peach melon, lemon tanginess. A glorious well structured Chardonnay of substance. Delicious drinking and a luxuriant succulent mouthfeel of classic varietal characters. Smooth acidity with long lingering velvety smooth finish. Very affordable and value for money. Try with grilled octopus.

Drink to 2012. About $17. 92/100 – Excellent.

Classy Savvy Blanc

Nangwarry Station Sauvignon Blanc 2006

Light tropical fruits – guava, boysenberry, passionfruit and wild flowers – delicate yet fragrant and uplifting supplying a lovely lifted nose. Smooth lively well rounded acidity supporting the fruit, well melded with a soft long mouthfeel. Try this with sautéed crab.

Drink Now. About $22. 88/100 - Good

Value Drinking

Rosemount Show Reserve Chardonnay 2006

Upfront peach characters then tropical fruits followed by citrus nuances and then melded with good cashew oak from the nose this Show Reserve label. Quite tight at first in unwinding aromas announcing a very well put together wine. Lashing of peach nectar freshness with vibrancy on the finish. Try this with Thai green curry.

Drink to 2011. About $21. 91/100 – Excellent.   

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.