Paul Ippolito Talks Cool Weather Reds

With Paul Ippolito

Boutique Red

Lazy Ballerina Shiraz 2006

This is boutique McLaren Vale material crafted by winemaker James Hook. Ripe, rich smooth classy and sexy Shiraz all rolled into one. Pure succulent and luscious black fruits – luxuriant and seamlessly delivered. Good coffee mocha oak, hints of cedar along with ripe tannins. Well balanced in mouthfeel with an effortlessly long delicious palate delivery. A long future as well. Try it with lamb stew.

Drink to 2018. About $25. 94/100 – Excellent.

For The Cellar

Kay Brothers Amery The Cuthbert Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

Blackcurrants, blackberries, boysenberries, spicy plums and raspberries all ensue from the aromas, all deep and intense. Coffee oak with cigar box nuances follow, as does liquorice, aniseed and dried mixed herbs. This is fruit focused in one dimension and savoury in another. Well melded and drinking well now but with a long future to it. Try it with beef and mushroom pie.

Drink to 2018. About $45. 92/100 – Excellent.

Warm Weather Drinking

Madfish Premium White 2007

Nice aromatics here resonating of tropical fruits as well as citrus limes and lemons. Vibrant, fresh and lively, good alcohol with a soft well roundedness and a delicious mouthfeel. Long and tangy on the finish, a delightful summer quaffer. Try it with pan fried chicken breast stuffed with cheese and prosciutto.

Drink Now. About $19, but found for less. 88/100 – Very Good.

Something Special To Impress

Charles Melton Grains Of Paradise Shiraz 2005

This is one of two special wines created by Charlie Melton arising from the 2005 vintage. Special is the right word to describe this one as it is my type of drinking red wine. Balanced seamless medium to full bodied in composure, the wine is beautifully put together and really delivers in a special way. Soft succulent red and black fruits subsume the palate and provide a luscious rich mouthfeel, albeit with balance, structure and elegance. Classic chocolate and liquorice on the finish along with abundant red fruits. This may be a red of substance and gravitas, but it is also a classy one at that. Try it with Wagyu beef.

Drink to 2025. About $60. 95/100 – Superb.

Boutique White

Fox Gordon Abby Viognier 2007

This Adelaide Hills establishment has put together a neat impressive little Viognier here. With magnificent aromas, it exudes uplifting, fresh and lively aromas. Full of ripe apricots, honey, succulent oranges and tropical fruit, the nose has it all. You could linger here indefinitely. The palate is intense, rich and luscious. Smooth soft acidity supports the fruit well and results in balanced well crafted Viognier that is seamless drinking. Try it with Thai chicken salad.

Drink Now. About $20. 93/100 – Excellent. 

Savvy Blanc Drinking

Nepenthe Sauvignon Blanc 2007

Quite full of fresh green herbs at first, then the tropical fruit characters start to ooze through, luscious and forward in nature, with a lovely succulence. Well rounded and delicious in mouthfeel, the soft acidity complements the fruit characters. Long and crisp on the finish, this Adelaide Hills Savvy Blanc is easy drinking – very easy in fact. Try it with Chicken Pad Thai.

Drink Now. About $22. 88/100 – Very Good.

Something New

Higher Plane Margaret River Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2007

Gooseberries, citrus lemons and grapefruits, cut grass, green herbs and straw make up a complex set of aromas. Classy and elegant in structure. Well blended and very MR in structure. Crisp green youthful acidity complements the fruit. A very well put together blend with a long crisp finish. Try this with cheese and spinach pie.

Drink to 2010. About $25. 91/100 – Excellent.

Sunday Afternoon Chilling-Out

Wolf Blass Yellow Label Moscato 2007

Refreshing and crisp acidity – fruity, lightly spritzed – just 5.5%. Musk, spicy muffins – uplifted and vibrant. Raisiny fruit with a lightly sweet mouthfeel and a nice finish, lingering with a lightness and delicacy. Try this with fresh hummus dip.

Drink Now. About $18. 88/100 – Very Good.

Top Hunter Red

De Iuliis Limited Release Shiraz 2006

Fresh and vibrant. A touch youthful with red earth hints and black liquorice coming from the aromas. Blueberries, blackberries and plums also stand forward in a luscious fruit focused manner. An elegant soft red wine with fine assertive tannins and a very good future. The oak is there, seamless and well integrated. It lingers long and provides a delicious mouthful of red and black fruits. Try it with spicy gourmet meatballs.

Drink to 2018. About $40. 93/100 – Excellent.

Good Rose’

Rutherglen Estates Grenache Shiraz Rose`2007

Lush strawberries, raspberries and red cherries subsume the senses. Soft lively acidity support the fruit beautifully. Long and smooth with a tad of alcohol. Red berries lingering on and on. Try this with a mezze`plate.

Drink Now. About $13. 87/100 – Good.

Rising Star

Grove Estate Wines Cellar Block Reserve Shiraz Viognier 2006

This red comes from the Hilltops region near Young in Southern Western NSW. This is an elegant well crafted well balanced red wine with just the right amount of Viognier. Grown by Brian Mullany and made by Tim Kirk of Clonakilla fame, the red oozes complex red and black fruits abounding with mulberries, spicy plums, red cherries, intense blackberries and luscious blueberries. Milk chocolate and a delicate earthiness also ensue. Good oak supports the fruit, fine quite assertive tannins follow. Really delicious drinking with a savoury edge to the finish.
 
Drink to 2016. About $30. 92/100 – 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.