There are more than a few words that get thrown around pretty indiscriminately in the marketing and communication of wine. Words like premium, estate, reserve, authentic, terroir and unique. In most cases it is a pretty empty assertion, rarely can the claim be legitimately justified. Few people can truly say they are a pioneer, but John Middleton certainly can. With a background in the RAAF he found himself in the Yarra Valley as a regional family doctor back in the 1950s. He established the estate, inspired in part by the Swiss settlers of the 1850s (de Castella, de Pury), and the wines of Bordeaux and Burgundy. Continue reading
Category Archives: Tasting Notes
Bentleigh Tasting Group – Napa Valley Tasting
In my recent exploits attempting to gain employment back home in Melbourne I trialled at the now 18-year-old Punch Lane Wine Bar & Restaurant. The venue is a staple in the city centre, having been an early proponent of the now famous lane way culture here. Whilst here I met with James Dossan, a certified sommelier originally hailing from Sydney, who is managing this venue. James runs a monthly tasting group for friends who are in the industry, which includes sommeliers and wholesalers alike. Each of them has is or will study wine and thus the tastings are designed to improve everyone’s skills in analysis. A theme is chosen and each member brings a bottle to be tasted blind. Continue reading
Filed under Tasting Notes
Heart & Soil Imports – 17/09/2013
Randall Pollard is pretty well-known in Victoria for his history as an independent wine retailer and merchant. He is known for sourcing a great range of interesting unique wines from Europe. He invited me to the office to have a look at a few new arrivals into the country.
Keller Rieslaner Spätlese 2011
Quite juicy lime & quince, lovely and round, generous long, some residual sugar viscosity.
Keller Riesling 2012
Crisp bright flinty citrus. Pure fine straight and fresh, mouth-filling intensity.
Keller Riesling Van der Fels 2012
Delicate subtle floral lychee minerality. On the shy side for the moment, textural minerality, fruit a little closed, will need some more time to open and express.
Keller Riesling RR 2012
Gorgeous blossomy rich intensity, very musky with rich dried citrus. Very mature character, earthiness and slight spice.
Louis Moreau Vaulignot 1er Chablis 2010
Richness density vanilla butter salty citrus. Fine broad yet focused acidity, length, dried pear and papaya, creamy texture.
Vicentini Agostino Il Casale 2011
Very savoury earthy dark spice aroma. Very mature savoury texture, some dried stone fruit notes.
Malvira Roero Arneis 2012
Lifted bright floral kiwi intensity. Fresh round dry and generous, lots of character whilst being friendly and drinkable.
Malvira Renesio Roero Arneis 2011
Dirty wild earthy wetness. Density and broadness at the same time, tasting the dilution of the overcast wet vintage. Very wet stone.
Malvira Saglietto Roero Arneis 2011
A little more feminine in nature, pretty floral candied notes. Just as mature and dense on the palate as the Renesio but more appealing fruit sweetness and roundness.
Chateau de Ségriès Tavel 2012
Bright intense cherry strawberry cream. Dry and full but fresh and long, nice balanced acidity and fruit, considering fruit sweetness it is deceptively dry and warm. Dangerous almost.
Filed under Tasting Notes
Foxeys Hangout – 3/09/2013
Pinot Gris 2013
Quite bright fresh fleshy green fruits. Textured intense, fairly true to style and region, lots of green apples.
Chardonnay 2012
A little on the shy side aromatically, not giving away much. Clean fresh not heavy or oaky, just lacking fruit personality.
Rosé 2013 (Shiraz)
Fresh fruity, a little bit spicy, generous fruit, some sweetness but sufficiently dry.
Pinot Noir 2012
Subtle earthy spicy dark cherries. Balanced generous, good fruit, some sweet tannins, subtle oak. Safe but indistinct.
Shiraz 2012
Super peppery on the nose, blackberries. Quite supple and generous, good savoury edge, lovely round black pepper, lacks a bit of drive.
Filed under Tasting Notes
Scorpo Wines – 3/09/2013
Pinot Gris 2012
Looks a touch sulphury smoky. Classic Scorpo Gris, rich yet tight and focused, nice texture and generosity.
Chardonnay 2009
Purity finesse drive natural acidity bite and freshness. Long and fine, well-managed for the vintage.
Pinot Noir 2011
Fine delicate but nice concentration and balance. Earthy savoury textural density. Power but restraint.
Shiraz 2008
Meaty inky savoury Indian spice. Juicy dark generous, looking full in oak and fruit. Lacking some finesse. Not sure…
Filed under Tasting Notes
Hurley Vineyard – 3/09/2013
Estate Pinot Noir 2011
Light tight lean savoury. Very good but a little retiring. Not offering a lot.
Filed under Tasting Notes
Moorooduc Estate – 3/09/2013
Estate Chardonnay 2011
Balanced generous, on the austere slightly mealy lees cheesy style. Wonderful texture and maturity.
The Moorooduc Chardonnay 2010
Rich raw generous intense full and forward, very forward now. Needs much time.
Pinot Noir 2011
Lovely bright savoury tight raspberry. Power expression for the vintage, lovely fruit purity and some amaro notes.
The Duc Pinot Noir 2010
Bright floral rose petal lavender. Very intense generous warm but fresh.
Filed under Tasting Notes
Paradigm Hill – 3/09/2013
Riesling 2012
A bit thin and underripe. Well made, just not the region for it.
Pinot Noir l’ami sage 2011
Juicy bright soft tannins fresh long, quite warm for the vintage. Plenty of maceration tannins and structure. Bold.
Shiraz Col’s Block 2010
Intense dark slightly meaty spice, hints of tomato and dark pomegranate.
Filed under Tasting Notes
10 Minutes by Tractor – 3/09/2013
10x Chardonnay
Clean tight lean. Fresh balanced bright citrus fruit. Generous mineral savoury lees notes.
Estate Chardonnay 2011
Purer but lighter. Finer and a touch more savoury, very fine and poised with just enough personality. Great length.
Estate Pinot Noir 2011
Very quiet subdued, very light. Pure fine delicate, exceptionally well handled for the vintage.
10x Pinot Noir 2012
Nice and intense but still restrained and delicate, savoury. Pow, lovely intense fresh great fruit. Dark but light and bright.
Filed under Tasting Notes
Paringa Estate – 3/09/2013
Chardonnay 2010
Delicate but broad worked Chardonnay notes, toasty stone fruit. Rich ripe warm but balanced oak. Still an old school style of chardonnay.
Pinot Noir 2010
Tight lean intense red fruit spicy stalk elements. Generous warm sweet tannins, mature oak, falls away a bit on the palate.
SIngle Vineyard The Paringa Pinot Noir 2009
Dark talcy notes, rubbery oak. Sweet juicy full dark fruits. Fairly closed for the time being.
Shiraz 2009
Inky iodine, sweet briny Asian spice, a hint of green pepper. Juicy black focused generous, bold structure tannins. Somehow all the elements work in this wine. The future of Mornington?
Filed under Tasting Notes
The Intrepid Wino 