Paul Ippolito's Wines of the Week

With Paul Ippolito

Wyndham Estate Bin 111 Verdelho 2007
 
This one really hits the spot with Asian cuisine. This was especially so with our Friday night Thai and those delightful drunken noodles we had this with. Anyway the tropical fruit nuances really come forth along with lively acidity making it easy delicious drinking with that ripe fruit taking centre stage yet not in an over the top manner. Lemons and limes complement the more dominant characters making for a very spiffy white.
 
Drink Now. About $15. 90/100 – Very Good.
 
Majella Melody Coonawarra Rose` 2007
 
The 2008 Rose` have just starting coming in so I’m on a quest to knock out some Rose 07 reviews for you before another deluge of Rose` is thrust upon me and that springtime weather ensues. Not that you have to wait until then to do so. This is really good with curry, chicken curry with coriander at that. The strawberries, raspberries and the cranberries really go well together with the curry spice flavours and do not overwhelm the Rose`. The crisp acidity also assists in this department giving the wine its vibrancy and edge to carry forth.
 
Drink Now. About $17. 88/100 – Very Good.
 
Coriole Vineyards Fiano 2007
 
Marsanne / Viognier like, this Italian white varietal from this respected McLaren Vale producer is excellent. Its citrus lemons, pears, spicy apple and hint of honey. Fulsome and forward in features, the nose is just succulent. Glorious acidity ensues matching the fruit stature, giving a crisp finish and one that lingers pears and lemons on the finish – deliciously so. Try it with fettuccine carbonara.
 
Drink to 2011. About $20. 93/100 – Excellent.
 
Wolf Blass South Australian Sauvignon Blanc 2007
 
This is a very decent quaffing white that stands in the tried and true stakes, not pretending to be anything more than it is. Citrus lemons, limes and grapefruit is where it is happening here. Dry and lemony sherbet on the finish along with a tanginess and lingering acidity that would do well with any cuisine that has creamy sauce.
 
Drink Now. About $12. 87/100 - Good
 
Fernfield Wines Pridmore Shiraz 2004
 
Fernfield is a boutique Eden Valley wine producer that has caught my eye of late. Their reds are very decent, well made and affordable and they really hit the mark in the balance and drinkability stakes. Rich and deep, aromatic and succulent. Spice, game and leathery nuances also ensue adding depth and complexity. Good alcohol, judicious spicy and cedary oak also and with good tannins. Try this with grilled rump with mushroom sauce.
 
Drink to 2014. About $22. 92/100 – Excellent.
 
St Hallett Barossa Faith Shiraz 2006
 
Raspberries, leatheryness, game and black fruits all come from the nose. Seamless fruit, well integrated oak and fine grainy tannins all follow. A vibrant red with really good fruit and lively acidity that makes it stand out as opposed to the denser chewier style of red. A wine with elegance in fact and classiness with a savoury dimension to the finish. Try it with beef and mushroom pie.
 
Drink to 2012. About $21. 91/100 – Excellent.
 
Majella The Musician Cabernet Shiraz 2007
 
A gem of a red blend – the Cabernet and the Shiraz working ever so well together. Well blended, well rounded, well presented and representative of what Cabernet and Shiraz together should be like. Spicy blueberries, deep rich blackberries, a hint of tobacco, a good dash of cedary oak, some mulberries and hey presto a delicious highly drinkable red. Good oak and fine tannins augur for a good future as well but it is drinking very decently right now. Try it with chicken coriander curry.
 
Drink to 2012. About $18. 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.