QWine - Australian Wine Reviews: February 2018

Wednesday, 28 February 2018

Hardys Siegersdorf Riesling 2017

Sometimes simplicity is the best form of satisfaction. Throw yourself at Exhibit A for an easy drinking and refreshing Riesling.

Yalumba Vine Vale Grenache 2016

Oh this is a joy. A delicate and pretty Grenache - savour every drop.

A solid McLaren Vale Shiraz. A full bodied wine sure to satisfy those who like their Shiraz big.

Ballandean Estate Shiraz Viognier 2016

A wine which carries a type of mystique. Soft and delicate, it's applause worthy.

Four unusual bedfellows in a blend that just seems to work. Generous and more than delicious.

Behind the Brand - Schild Estate

90 Year old bush vine Grenache vineyard

With a twinkle in her eye as she shares her family’s story, you can’t help but embrace the passion Judy Watson has for those that came before her and what she and her siblings have accomplished since.

Judy, Schild Estate’s Family Proprietor and Brand Ambassador, has the room in the palm of her hand. “Schild Estate celebrated 150 years in 2016,” she says with an infectious grin. 1866 was the year her great great grandparents arrived. The more she talks, the more the transformation of the brand since those embryonic days seems to be nothing but impressive.

Chardonnay from the southern end of Margaret River. Top drinking - leap in.

Huntington Estate Special Reserve Shiraz 2013

What a beauty! Shiraz to catch you by surprise - it certainly caught me on the hop. A treasure.

Lots of bang for buck factor in this little package. Mudgee Shiraz with 16 months bottle age prior to release.

Here's a good get. Pretty tasty drinking sure to satisfy. A lazy night in front of the TV and a glass or two of this will do just fine.

Flametree Margaret River Pinot Noir Rosé 2017

Margaret River Pinot Noir are four words not normally seen beside one another. This is a fab rendition of a dry, savoury Rosé.

Shiraz is a new addition to the Spice Trader range. A solid partner for a steak and veg meal.

A crowd-pleasing Rosé made from a blend of Sangiovese, Black Muscat and Syrah.

Hayes Family Wines Greenock Shiraz 2016

One of those wines you could sniff away at and be content - there's plenty to amuse...

Hunter Valley Shiraz is a beautiful thing. Deliciously medium bodied, it curls up and rests easy for your enjoyment.

Iron Cloud Rock of Solitude Cabernet Malbec 2015

These Iron Cloud wines just turned up at the door one day. No note, not deets - pretty handy wines regardless and I'm pleased I've had the fortune of having a look at something new to me.

What the difference a year makes. After checking out the 2015, this is almost another wine entirely.

Ballandean Estate Opera Block Shiraz 2015

A smashing cool climate, medium bodied Shiraz. What a peach! Take a bow the Ballandean Estate team.
The Opera Block sits beside the winery and behind the stage where the annual Opera In The Vineyard is held. I'm happy to be corrected but I'm pretty sure the Opera Block is also part of the Adopt a Vine scheme.

Chardonnay from the Hilltops.

Flametree Frankland River Pinot Grigio 2017

Good drinking Pinot Grigio from Frankland River which many will find appealing.

Fruity Pinot Noir Rosé from Tassie. A simple drink but one which is set to please with the refreshment factor high.

Granite Belt Merlot with whiffs of cherry ripe.

Ballandean Estate Messing About Nebbiolo 2016

Nebbiolo turned on its head and made to drink sooner rather than later. I see what Dylan Rhymer is out to achieve - a wine in a good place.

The last of the Y Series samples to taste, and again, the quality does not disappoint.

Larry Cherubino Pedestal Pinot Gris 2017

This Pedestal range from Larry Cherubino is top stuff. Really enjoyable drinking without burning a hole in your back pocket.

A back label which is inspiring - a tribute to Erik de Haart who survived the Bali bombings in 2002. There's a link for www.donatelife.gov.au there too. Nice touch. Easy to see why it's called the Unity range.

Sauvignon Blanc from Margaret River.

Pretty in the glass with a pale pink salmon kiss, here's a tight and focused Pinot Grigio from the Yarra Valley.

Witches Falls Syrah 2016

Smashable is how I have described this wine in the past. It seems the Witches Falls customers may think the same thing - the sold-out sign has already been posted for this vintage. I can see why.

Riesling from three different sites in Porongorup, Franklin River and Mt Barker.

An easy drinking entry level Riesling from the Canberra district.

The flagship for Hayes Family Wines to be released in September 2018. Premium Barossa Shiraz to be held in two hands.

Mitchell Wines Watervale Riesling 2017

Smashing Riesling. Perhaps I just leave the review at that. Terrific drinking hands down.

A pleasure to drink. Gorgeous Cabernet from the Yarra Valley - a variety from the region which very much sits in the shadows of Chardonnay and Pinot.

Derwent Estate Boat Label Chardonnay 2016

I was so close to Derwent Estate a few months ago when wandering the sights of Hobart. I now wish I just popped down the road from the neighbouring vineyard, but time wasn't my friend that day. This is a beautiful Chardonnay - thank you very much.

There's plenty of ever-reliable Coonawarra reds pitched around the $20-25 mark. Here's one that comfortable resides in that mould year after year.

Josef Chromy Pepik Pinot Noir 2016

Always a reliable performer, this is a great intro for those seeking to immerse themselves in the delight that is Tassie Pinot.

I'm sure Los Companeros means, "Get me a freakin pizza and quick!" Easy drinking red for lazy meal.

Gartelmann Sarah Elizabeth Chardonnay 2016

Chardonnay from Orange ticking the boxes. A neat package with delicate fruit oozing easy drinking.

A traditional method Blanc de Blanc from Queensland's South Burnett - three hours north-west of Brisbane. With a climate not too dissimilar to the Hunter Valley, cool nights and fertile soils in prime dairy cattle land have enabled good fruit to be grown.

I've been a fan of this wine in the past, but the 2015 seems to have dropped its form line. A fair drink, it comes across quite polished, but not in a fine and class way - more of a prettied up kinda way.