Paul Ippolito's Wines of the Week

With Paul Ippolito

Tatler Nigel Semillon 2006
 
Quite a decent Semillon from this boutique Hunter producer. Citrussy lemons, tangy ones at that along with lemongrass. A splash of green herbs – fresh, lively and vibrant – uplifted. Well structured with crisp acidity complementing the citrine influences, long as well on the finish. Try this with prawn chow mein.
 
Drink to 2011. About $18. 89/100 – Very Good.
 
O’Leary Walker Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2008
 
Sweet tropical fruit oozes from the glass – invitingly so, really ripe characters with rose petals and frangipani filling the senses. Gushy fresh and vital fruit, resplendent and gloriously imparted. A well structured beautiful drinking Savvy Blanc – indeed it is very user friendly. Try this with Asian cuisine.
 
Drink Now. About $22. 92/100 – Excellent.
 
Conte Estate The Numbed Hand Pruner Grenache 2006
 
Savoury lightly spiced along with loads of cherries, raspberries and plums, yet with an underlying earthiness and gaminess and earth ridden character. A really interesting and well put together wine. Fresh and evocative on one level and medium bodied and fruit driven the other. Ends with a tangy and vibrant mouth feel.
 
Drink Now. About $18. 88/100 – Very Good.
 
Bobbie Burns Shiraz 2006
 
Campbells of Rutherglen make this. Deep rich smooth linear black and red fruits, seamlessly and purely imparted. Generously bodied with integrated oak, this is just so smooth and well rounded on the mouth feel, lingering long of cherries, blackberries and plums. A hint of spiciness and liquorice at the end. Really neat drinking and a medium bodied in style with elegance to it. Oh and value as well.
 
Drink to 2012. About $18. 91/100 – Excellent.
 
Katnook Estate Founders Block Merlot 2005
 
Everyone else at the dinner table immediately took to this wine. For me it required a bit more time in the glass, and recognition that whilst it has good mass appeal, character etc, Merlot will never be my favourite stand alone grape variety. A good blender of a grape especially with Cabernet, indeed a very good one at that, but my hat lays somewhere else on the grape varietal ladder. Anyway, there is good red fruit in this one, a leanness that adds to its overall structure, good oak and a spicy edge. Plums and cherries on the finish make it appealing drinking as evidenced by a polished off bottle in front of me. Try with lasagne.
 
Drink Now. About $18. 90/100 – Very Good. 

Mulyan Cowra Chardonnay 2006
 
Deep intense and invigorating stone fruits with the classic peach melon features really coming through. Good cashew oak as well with a hint of spice. A touch of leesyness adds complexity making for a medium bodied wine with a light finish. Very delicious balanced drinking.
 
Drink Now. About $18. 91/100 – Excellent.
 
Howard Park Scotsdale Great Southern Shiraz 2005
 
Deep intense spicy black fruits, dense deep raspberries followed by liquorice, aniseed, and dried herbs auguring a smooth soft well roundedness with fine tannins and definitive oak. A robust substantial red that needs time to develop. It also needs food of substance such as a good roast.
 
Drink to 2017. About $40. 93/100 – Excellent.
 
Claymore Nirvana Reserve Shiraz 2004
 
The flagship wine in this Clare Valley boutique winery. A luxuriant wine with smooth long and lusciousness, engaging fruit characters with an edge of savoury dimension to it. Think roasted meats, a good dose of red earth, aniseed yet also an amalgam of plums, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries. Some spicy fruit as well. This needs more time to develop as well. Try it with lamb shanks.
 
Drink to 2019. About $45. 94/100 – 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.