Paul Ippolito Talks Wine

With Paul Ippolito

Something Boutique

Fernfield Eden Valley Shiraz 2004

An interesting Shiraz from this Barossa boutique producer. Savoury in one sphere yet also laden with plenty of fruit character. Blueberries, blackberries, cherries, spicy plums and mulberries ensue. Coffee oak, a touch of aniseed along with dark chocolate and liquorice as well. Good alcohol melded with a smooth dark black fruits. A well rounded fulsome mouthfeel, long and smooth in finish. Try with salt and pepper pork ribs.

Drink to 2014. About $22. 90/100 – Very Good. 

Top Shelf Red

BlackJack Block 6 Bendigo Shiraz 2005

Aromatic red and black fruits. Plums, blackberries and red cherries abound. Intense and spicy fruit at that with good supporting alcohol. Polished and quite delicious on the palate with persistent distinctive character, ampleness in weight and integrated oak resulting in a long length with chocolate and liquorice and a hint of red earth. Try this with bbq rump of beef.

Drink to 2020. About $35. 93/100 – Excellent.

Top Shelf Chardonnay

Devils Lair Margaret River Chardonnay 2006

Classic Margaret River Chardonnay drinking. Stone fruits in abundance, imparted impressively and with a polished style. Pure and restrained in one sense, luscious and delicious in another. A kick of fresh acidity melded beautifully with the fruit making the flavours mouthwateringly good. A stylish still youthful Chardonnay with a touch of minerality, good tight oak and some citrus overtures along with the peach melon characters on a long finish. Try this with lobster tails.

Drink to 2013. About $45. 93/100 – Excellent.

Summer Savvy Drinking

Bridgewater Mill Sauvignon Blanc 2007

Fresh, vibrant and lively. Invigorating and uplifting. Adelaide Hills in origin. Asparagus, gooseberry and tropical fruits flow as well as lychees and a touch of green herbs – the nose has it all. Crisp acidity accompanies the fruit making it a well structured wine with a good backbone and finish.

Drink Now. About $23. 92/100 – Excellent.

Something Different

Kabminye Barossa Valley tres doux Muscadelle 2005

A really lovely dessert wine from this boutique Barossa producer. Burnt honey orange. Gloriously viscous and luscious. Aromatic and soothing as well. Honey, apricots, figs and toffee ensue. Caramel and golden syrup follows with raisiny fruit and a hint of nuttiness. Pure succulent and luxuriant in mouthfeel. Try it with fruit tart.

Drink to 2012. About $30 (5ooml). 94/100 – Excellent.

Italian Varietal

SGV Vines Card Collection Pinot Grigio 2007

A vibrant copper straw colour. Pears, apricots and musk sticks resonate from the aromas. Smooth cool ripe fruits ensue both aromatically and on the palate. Soft and luscious, smooth and well rounded in mouthfeel. An interesting Pinot Grigio with a long dryish fulsome finish. Try this with fish and chips.

Drink Now. About $15. 88/100 – Very Good.

Summertime Quaffer

Annies Lane Moscato 2007

Moscato is perfect humid and warm weather wine drinking. Why, because of its invigorating replenishing ability and lighter alcohol content. This one is light delicate and fresh in stature with plenty of musk, muscaty grapey character along with a light invigorating spritz. A long finish ensues leaving a very nice aftertaste. This is easy Summertime drinking big-time. Try it with a chicken caesar salad.

Drink Now. About $20. 86/100 – Good.

For The Cellar

Tyrrells Vat 47 Chardonnay 2005

Power and restraint at first from this Hunter Valley classic. A touch of uplifted varietal fruit then pokes its head out – first nectarines, peaches, melons then hints of citrus orchard fruit and then an ever light hint of spiciness. Still youthful and lively and fresh in its composition. Having said that it is quite luscious and well rounded in mouthfeel balanced with the right amount of acidity as well as creaminess on the finish. The stone fruit characters linger and melded with the good nutty oak and hints of vanilla, make for a very pleasurable drinking experience on a Summer afternoon with a platter of your favourite seafood at hand.

Drink to 2015 plus. About $45. 93/100 –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.