Tag Archives: Australian Wine

Let’s Taste – Bindi Macedon Cuvée 2003

When I was still discovering more about wine, about one year into my tenure at Chandon, I was running some little wine dinners with family members. One of these started with a sparkling wine made by Bindi Winegrowers. It was an extended lees-contact methode traditionelle, that I believe had spent seven years on lees. I’m not sure when, but at some point they stopped making this wine, but perhaps still have wine still sitting on lees which is periodically disgorged.

I spotted this 2003 vintage which spend ten years on lees in my local bottle shop, and couldn’t resist toasting the new year with it. Here are my impressions, what do you think? Have you tasted this wine?

Bindi Macedon Cuvée 2003

Bindi Macedon Cuvée 2003

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January 5, 2016 · 7:10 pm

Let’s Taste – Coldstream Hills Reserve Pinot Noir 2002

Back when I worked in the cellar door at Domaine Chandon in the Yarra Valley, one of my colleagues lived at Coldstream Hills as her partner was one of the winemakers. She was kind enough to put together a mixed dozen of reserve wines of various vintages, some of which are still in my cellar. I thought it was about time to open this bottle, the Reserve Pinot Noir 2002. What are your thoughts, do you agree? Let me know in the comments.

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December 30, 2015 · 12:13 pm

Let’s Taste – Main Ridge Chardonnay, The Acre & Half Acre Pinot Noir 2014

Main Ridge Estate make my favourite wine in the world, the Half Acre Pinot Noir. Theirs was one of the first cellar doors I ever visited, back when I was still learning about wine. I visited a few months ago, I think just after the estate had been sold, bought some current release bottles and also placed an order for the soon to be released 2014 wines. I opened the three for the first time to see what they present, and perhaps give me an idea how long I should keep them.

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December 30, 2015 · 12:10 pm

Let’s Taste – Out of Step Lusatia Park & Willowlake Sauvignon Blancs 2015

My guests on episode 76 of my wine podcast The Vincast were Nathan Reeves and David Chatfield from Out of Step Wine Co. After seeing my tasting video of their chardonnay they reached out and offered me some wine, and I thought I’d do them even better and have them on a double-episode to tell their story. They brought me some wines after all, and I tasted the two Sauvignon Blanc wines from 2015 on this video.

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December 30, 2015 · 9:34 am

The Vincast with David Chatfield from Out of Step Wine Co.

If you’re a fan of ’90s alternative music you can thank David Chatfield for bringing out international cult acts like Interpol, Mudhoney and Bon Iver. After 20 years in the music industry, Dave became more and more interested in wine, and decided to pursue a career as a winemaker. Thanks to his music cred he got a job at Giant Steps with Steve Flamsteed, and hasn’t looked back. He joined forces with former university friend Nathan Reeves (my guest on part one of this episode), and formed Out of Step Wine Company in the Yarra Valley.

Follow Out of Step on Twitter and Instagram

Follow David on Twitter and Instagram

Follow James on TwitterInstagram and Facebook

Subscribe to the Intrepid Wino channel on YouTube and like a few videos!

Follow The Vincast on Twitter and download all the previous episodes here

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunesStitcher or PlayerFM and don’t forget to rate and review!

David Chatfield from Out of Step Wine Co.

David Chatfield from Out of Step Wine Co.

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Let’s Taste – Pierro Chardonnay 2005

A mature chardonnay wine from the Intrepid Cellar, from arguably Australia’s premier chardonnay region. I bought this bottle of Pierro Chardonnay 2005 from the Victorian distributor, and I thought it would be interesting to open it with 10 years of age. Also my cork skills are pretty woeful, so apologies for that.

Pierre Chardonnay 2005

Pierre Chardonnay 2005

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December 24, 2015 · 9:33 am

Let’s Taste – Minim Sylvie Syrah 2014

Not the first time I’ve tasted this wine, I wanted to re-visit it and share my impressions on camera. Tim Sproal is a member of the Boomtown Wine Co-op based in Castlemaine, and I’ve tasted the white wine on this channel already. The Minim wines are made by Tim, and this Sylvie is a Syrah blended from the Yarra Valley and Mount Alexander.

Minim Sylvie Syrah 2014

Minim Sylvie Syrah 2014

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December 23, 2015 · 10:33 am

The Vincast with Nathan Reeves from Out of Step Wine Co.

Nathan Reeves, who originally hails from Western Australia, discovered an interest in wine while working in hospitality to support his music. When the band didn’t pan out he began studying to become a winemaker, and gained experience in Australia and the United States (where he met his wife). Along with Dave Chatfield whom he met when they were both studying winemaking, he started Out of Step Wine Co. with a Sauvignon Blanc that very rapidly got them attention.

Follow Out of Step on Twitter and Instagram

Follow David on Twitter and Instagram

Follow James on TwitterInstagram and Facebook

Subscribe to the Intrepid Wino channel on YouTube and like a few videos!

Follow The Vincast on Twitter and download all the previous episodes here

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunesStitcher or PlayerFM and don’t forget to rate and review!

Go to Different Drop to buy some Out of Step wines, and make sure to enter the special code INTREPIDWINO to get a 10% discount!

Head to Wine Companion and use the promo code INTREPID30 to get a 30% discount on any subscription package!

Nathan Reeves from Out of Step Wine Co.

Nathan Reeves from Out of Step Wine Co.

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Let’s Taste – d’Arenberg The Ironstone Pressings, The Dead Arm, and The Coppermine Road 2012

The lovely Tash Stoodley from d’Arenberg was lovely enough to send me some more bottles of wine to taste. These are the three icon reds from the McLaren Vale d’Arenberg vineyards; The Ironstone Pressings Grenache Shiraz Mouvedre, The Dead Arm Shiraz, and The Coppermine Road Cabernet Sauvignon. All three have a recommended retail price of $65.00, and were from the 2012 vintage.

d'Arenberg Icon 2012 Wines

d’Arenberg Icon 2012 Wines

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December 14, 2015 · 11:50 am

Let’s Taste – Toolangi Estate Chardonnay 2013 & Reserve Shiraz 2010

The lovely people at Toolangi wines in the Yarra Valley sent me a few bottles to taste, which I was happy to do for Let’s Taste. Made by David Bicknell at Oakridge, these are very classic styles for the region. The Estate Chardonnay 2013 has a recommended retail price of $38.00, and the Reserve Shiraz 2010 is $60.00.

Head to http://www.toolangi.com for more information!

Toolangi Estate Chardonnay 2013 & Reserve Shiraz 2010

Toolangi Estate Chardonnay 2013 & Reserve Shiraz 2010

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November 24, 2015 · 12:38 pm