Paul Ippolito Talks Wine: Volume 6
With Paul Ippolito
Something Special To Impress
Dominique Portet Tasmanian Cuvee`2002
Sourced from grapes from the Dalrymple vineyard in Northern Tasmania,
Dominique Portet crafts out a very serious sparkling wine for us here.
Tightly knit on the nose with citrus nuances, the wine is elegant yet
also strong in its structure. Lemons, toastiness and silky fine bubbles
emanate. Quite firm acidity with a long lingering set of flavours in
the mouthfeel. Delicious and moreish. Try it with smoked salmon sushi
rolls. About $36. 91/100.
Try A Boutique Producer
Cardinham Estate Stradbroke Shiraz 2004
This wine is from a very good Clare Valley producer. Still quite young
and this is reflected through its blackish purple crimson colour, it is
also vibrant and intensely pure. Quite elegant in structure, the fruit
is ripe, persistent and distinctive. Lots of blackberry, mulberry and
plum with liquorice, red earth and liquorice notes. Assertive silky
fine tannins also ensue and this results in a medium length of
finish. Drink 2006-2014. About $20. 91/100.
Put This Away In Your Cellar
O'Leary Walker Polish Hill Riesling 2006
This is a stunning Riesling typical of what this winemaker and
sub-region is able to produce together. A pale straw with hints of
green tinge. Minerally slate dry and steely in composition it is tight,
young and elegant. Zesty pure lime juice abounds from the aroma. A
variety of citrus fruit underpins the primary character along with
quite firm acidity. The palate is soft, well rounded and lingers long
with a citrus finish. Drink 2006-2021. Try it with barramundi fillets.
About $20. 93/100.
Celebrate Spring With This
Montana Sauvignon Blanc 2006
A lovely Summer quaffer from an excellent Kiwi vintage. Greeny straw,
youthful and vibrant. Quite classic and varietal in aroma. Polished
pure distinct fruit - gooseberry, capsicum, citrus lemon and limes and
a hint of tropical fruits. Crisp good firm acidity to counterbalance
the fruit. A stylish wine with very good length and deliciousness to
it. Drink now with oysters natural. Around $17 but can be found
cheaper. 92/100.
Funky Drinking
Pikes "The Red Mullet" Shiraz Sangiovese Merlot Tempranillo 2004.
And the winner of this year's grooviest red blend goes to
…….. Yes, you guessed right - the Red Mullet. And yes
this is a fun easy drinking red wine. A brick red colour with purple
nuances, it is alluringly luscious and vibrant to savour. Think
raspberries, cherries and plums. Distinct and persistent fruit with
smooth silky tannins, well rounded and with a medium length. The
blending has done wonders to capture the various characters of each of
the grape varietals. Try it with gourmet pizza. Drink 2006- 2010. About
$18. 91/100.
Good Value Drinking
Campbells Bobbie Burns Shiraz 2004
At around $20, this has to be one of the best value reds I've had in
recent times. Emanating from the Rutherglen region of North East
Victoria, the wine exhibits a glorious deep dark blackish crimson
colour. Young, fresh and vibrant on the nose with typical blackberry,
raspberry and plum aromas, it promises much. Spicy full flavoured dark
berry fruit delivered well, indeed quite elegantly along with
seamlessly integrated oak. Smooth and velvety, yet with a savoury
dimension rather than any overripe fruit. A wine that lingers long and
gracefully. It is very drinkable now and has a good long future ahead
of it. Try this with baked rigatoni with an Italian sausage and slow
cooked tomato based sauce. Drink 2006-2016. 93/100.
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.
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