Drayton's Vineyard Reserve Chardonnay 2009

Drayton's is a large Hunter Valley producer punching out approximately 500 000 dozen each year.

This Vineyard Reserve comes from vines planted in the mid 1970's and spent six months in French oak, a combination of new with some two to three year old.

The wine drew me in easily. Stone fruit aromas abundant, toast characters and a caramelised toffee peanut thing going on which I liked... lots!

These elements flowed nicely onto the palate. Nectarine and peachy goodness joined by waves of creaminess which swept through culminating with a soft finish that lingered well.

A wine you'd happily open the wallet for. Drink with veal or even pumpkin ravioli.

Who: Drayton's Family Wines www.draytonswines.com.au
What: Chardonnay (12.5% alc)
Where: Hunter Valley
When: 2009
How: $30

Follow them: www.twitter.com/DraytonsWines
Follow me: www.twitter.com/Qwine
at

Pepper Tree Limited Release Verdelho 2012

An example of how tasty Verdelho can be yet it's hard to fathom why more people don't beat its drum.

A nice little thirst quencher this, coming from Hunter Valley fruit.

Some inviting floral aromas which I liked. Plenty of of honey dew melon, pineapple and stone fruit characters in the mix too. These  flow onto the palate which seems to open a new door of flavour at every turn. Some subtle spice tickle on the finish wraps up a wine which is crisp, fresh and so easy to throw down the hatch.

Enjoy by itself whilst relaxing with friends or have with Asian foods.

Who: Pepper Tree www.peppertreewines.com.au/
What: Verdelho (12.5% alc)
Where: Hunter Valley
When: 2012
How: $22

Follow them: www.twitter.com/PepperTreeWine
Follow me: www.twitter.com/Qwine
at

McLeish Estate Semillon Chardonnay 2011

This had a little wow factor. Lovely clean flavours and a ripping price to boot.

A blend of 60% Semillon and 40 % Chardonnay. Some Chardonnay was aged briefly in one year old oak, a small portion being barrel fermented.

Plenty of apple flavours with some citrus then a rush of stone fruit follow from the Chardonnay component. Green apple acidity cleanses the palate. Very tasty indeed and a super drop for a hot day. $18 bucks = bargain!

Forget matching it with food, it'll be gone in quick time.

Available online or cellar door.

Who: McLeish Estate http://www.mcleishhunterwines.com.au/
What: Semillon Chardonnay (12% alc)
Where: Hunter Valley
When: 2011
How: $18

Follow them: www.twitter.com/McLeishEstate
Follow me: www.twitter.com/Qwine
at

Drayton's Susanne Semillon 2009

This Drayton's flagship white wine comes from vines over 100 years old.

Aromas are soft with some pastry and biscuity highlights, joined by a slight whiff of honey. Some toasty characters are developing.

Flavours drive through to a generous and smooth palate. Well balanced and weighted leaving a forever length.

Represents good value for the $35 asked for. Have with seafood or even turkey.

Who: Drayton's Family Wines www.draytonswines.com.au
What: Semillon (11.5% alc)
Where: Hunter Valley
When: 2009
How: $35

Follow them: www.twitter.com/DraytonsWines
Follow me: www.twitter.com/Qwine
at

Flynns Irena's Heathcote Verdelho 2010

Verdelho is seen more as a drink now variety but over the last few months I have had a look at some Verdelhos with a little age on them, and I am becoming fan. This wine has had some skillful winemaking applied delivering a great result.

I picked up this wine when I visited the winery back in June. The texture that this wine offers is the attractive feature for me as it is certainly not the clean and fresh style Verdelho that you often see on the shelves.

Aromas of tropical fruit and melon, a small portion of wine was barrel fermented and then a short stay in new and old French oak has added complexity. There is plenty of spice on offer, creaminess from the oak, along with good fruit flavours and spice lingering considerably... impressive. Still a little acid lurking, I'd like to see where this is at in another two years.

Something a little different worth considering.Yum!

Who: Flynns Wines www.flynnswines.com.au
What: Verdelho (13.8% alc)
Where: Heathcote
When: 2010
How: $25

Follow them: www.twitter.com/FlynnsWines
Follow me: www.twitter.com/Qwine
at

Emma's Cottage Vineyard

On my recent trip to the Hunter Valley, I had the pleasure of staying at Emma's Cottage Vineyard. A wonderful and relaxing place with spacious grounds, a restaurant on site, and a pool to cool down in on those hot days. The hosts are excellent and I certainly recommend the accommodation which caters for couples and families.

There are vineyards on the property which are used for their own label. Varieties planted include Chardonnay, Semillon, Verdelho, Cabernet Franc, Shiraz, and Pinot Noir. Approximately 900 dozen are produced each year, and the wines have been made for many years by David Hook.

A quick run through some of the wines:

Sparkling Chardonnay/Pinot Noir NV A refreshing style bubbles that doesn't hold the complexities of lees. Loaded with stone fruit and peach. Flavours are fresh on the front palate, good length and not too dry. The sparkling base is made by David Hook and the wine finished off by Peterson House. The $35 asked for is too high in my opinion.

Rosé 2011 Made from Pinot Noir. An easy drinking style. Dry cherry characters, rose petal aromas. A grainy tannin finish. $25

Pinot Noir 2007 Ripe and fully loaded, a soft elegant Pinot this is not. Many would safely assume this to be a Shiraz. Cherry compote, stewed plums and prunes deliver a lingering mouth warmth too. A touch of oak. Not my style. $30 (14.4% alc)

Shiraz 2007 A deep colour possessing brooding black fruit and meaty aromas. Spice and soft pepper coat the palate. Twelve months in American oak has added a subtle sweetness and the flavours roll through the palate well leaving a drying finish. Enjoyable but be sure to decant. $35 (13.5% alc)
at

David Hook Reserve Barbera 2009

Plenty of savoury flavours dominate here. Lovely smells of violets, a snip of rose and twiggy earthiness lead to a delicious palate. The fruit punches through to the finish nicely, coupled with a delicate and soft spice. The finish lingers well with soft tannins wrapping it up.

I had this with spaghetti bolognese (of course!) and it went down a treat. A wine to be had within the next few years, and a wine easily enjoyed.

Certainly worth jotting this down on the shopping list for the future.

Who: David Hook www.davidhookwines.com.au/
What: Barbera (13% alc)
Where: Orange
When: 2011
How: $30

Follow them: www.twitter.com/DavidHookWines
Follow me: www.twitter.com/Qwine
at

David Hook De Novo Bianco 2012

An interesting wine. A blend of Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc all from Orange, New South Wales.

All were barrel fermented separately in older French oak and on lees for six months prior to blending.

Some slight toasty aromas coupled with stone fruit, even a hint of nougat. The textured palate is appealing but the green apple acidity just doesn't hit it off for me with the flavours offered. Length is good and drying, but the acid asks more questions than gives answers.

Not a wine I would buy, and I must admit, I have never said that before about a David Hook wine.

Who: David Hook www.davidhookwines.com.au/
What: Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Chardonnay & Sauvignon Blanc (13% alc)
Where: Orange
When: 2012
How: $30

Follow them: www.twitter.com/DavidHookWines
Follow me: www.twitter.com/Qwine
at

Tahbilk Shiraz 2008

A mission to the bottle shop with twenty bucks saw this make its way home. Admittedly I have had this wine previously but not blogged it, and whilst I didn't intend blogging this one either, I couldn't help but share the bang for buck factor.

Coming from Nagambie Lakes in Victoria, I narrowed down my search to three wines on the shelf. What tipped me towards this wine was the fact it had four years of age already under its belt, not to mention I received twenty cents change!
Super dark colour, a bounty of spice, chocolate, plummy goodness. Plenty of guts here, and the black fruit flavours kick through to the finish with a soft and generous length. Oak was well integrated. A suggestion the fruit was a little over ripe, but this didn't detract from a wine which was still an enjoyable drop.

Go shopping for this and you'll be smiling.

Who: Tahbilk http://www.tahbilk.com.au
What: Shiraz (14.5% alc)
Where: Nagambie Lakes
When: 2008
How: $19.80 (on special at an independent retailer)

Follow them: www.twitter.com/TahbilkWinery
Follow me: www.twitter.com/Qwine
at

Cooks Lot Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2012



A blend of 60% Semillon and 40% Sauvignon Blanc with all fruit coming from Orange, New South Wales.

Nearly clear in appearance with a light green hue. Quite an aromatic wine with green pea, cut herbs and passionfruit leaping out from the glass. The palate has good weight but a little light on the flavour I felt. Pea and passionfruit characters slide through softly. Acid is soft. Have with food, fish and chips would go well.

 
Not a wine I would buy, but the ladies I shared it with enjoyed it.
Who: Cooks Lot Wines www.CooksLot.com.au
What: Semillon Sauvignon Blanc (12% alc)
Where: Orange
When: 2012
How: $20

Follow them: www.twitter.com/CooksLotWines
Follow me: www.twitter.com/Qwine
at

David Hook Old Vines Pothana Vineyard Semillon 2012

Only produced in a good year, this Pothana Vineyard Semillon was hand picked from low yielding vines in the Hunter Valley sub region of Belford.

Aromas of citrus, fresh cut herbs and a tiny tropical element.  The fruit is delicate, soft and mouthfilling with the citrus flavours dominating. Acid is also soft ensuring this wine is very approachable.

A good drop to quench your thirst to end a hot day. The finish is long and moreish, although there is a slippery character on the finish which lurked. I suggest have with herb marinated barbecued chicken and salad. That was my match and it went down a treat.

Drink now or hold on to it for the medium term.

Who: David Hook www.davidhookwines.com.au/
What: Semillon (10.5% alc)
Where: Hunter Valley
When: 2012
How: $25

Follow them: www.twitter.com/DavidHookWines
Follow me: www.twitter.com/Qwine
at

Tobin Wines "Max" Shiraz 2009

Quite a different wine to the Max Shiraz 2010, which was medium bodied, lots of berry fruit and finishing well tannins bordering dusty.

This 2009, still available at the cellar door or online, is darker with brooding gutsy aromas of chocolate, cherry ripe with a dash of cinnamon. Cherry ripe flavours are awash in the mouth as are dense plums. Well structured with a forever lasting length. And just when all is gone, there is a neat chocolate touch which reappears. Fine silky tannins seal the deal.

Much of Adrian Tobin's wines are currently sold out due to popularity which is great to see for a small operator. Adrian is considering a closing his cellar door as a result with members and interstate folk buying the bulk. A bold move, but hey, his wines are speaking for themselves. Neat packaging and little touches at the cellar door cap off very well produced wines.

Before writing off Queensland's ability to produce good wine, best you get your hands on some Tobin Wines.

Who: Tobin Wines http://www.tobinwines.com.au/
What: Shiraz (14.4% alc)
Where: Granite Belt
When: 2010
How: $45

Follow me: www.twitter.com/Qwine
at

David Hook Reserve De Novo Rosso 2011

David Hook's wines are so easy to knock back, and here is yet more proof. This wine will disappear from your glass in no time.

An even blend of Barbera, Nebbiolo and Sangiovese, all the fruit comes from different Hunter Valley sites.

A good whiff of violets hit me straight up and this lingered considerably amongst some dry herb,cherry compote and even a hint of rose water.

You'd expect the wine to be smooth with the three varieties represented, and it is. Great fruit depth, a little spice on the finish which lingers nicely, rounded off with soft, fine tannins.

Have with an Italian tomato based dish, a perfect match. A wine well worth the $30 asking price.

Who: David Hook www.davidhookwines.com.au/
What: De Novo Rosso - Barbera, Nebbiolo, Sangiovese (13% alc)
Where: Hunter Valley
When: 2011
How: $30

Follow them: www.twitter.com/DavidHookWines
Follow me: www.twitter.com/Qwine
at

Pepper Tree Alluvius Semillon 2012

Another beauty from Pepper Tree.

Some things are best kept simple...

Gentle aromas of lemony citrus, slight nutty characters and a touch of honey all greet you. The soft fruit and gentle natural acid are very appealing. Flavours power through with some minerality in the mix. Wonderful length completing a wine which will age gracefully.

The back label says, "extraordinary finesse". Yup!

Perfect for fresh seafood, I'm thinking Moreton Bay bugs with a fresh salad.

Who: Pepper Tree www.peppertreewines.com.au/
What: Semillon (10.8% alc)
Where: Hunter Valley
When: 2012
How: $35

Follow them: www.twitter.com/PepperTreeWine
Follow me: www.twitter.com/Qwine
at

Luke Lambert Reserve Syrah 2010



Sealed with wax and wrapped in a contemporary label, this wine presents very well. Only 1081 bottles were made and each bottle is individually numbered.

Luke’s 2010 Syrah blew me away with its funk, yet there were masculine and feminine characteristics in the mix too.

This Reserve though is a cut above again. But rather than be in the same style, this is more sexy. A lace and knickers version if you will. Elegant, oozing wow factor.
The fruit comes from St Andrews, Yarra Valley, was hand sorted, wild yeast fermented with 100% whole bunches, old French oak was employed, and in the typical Lambert fashion, bottled without fining or filtration.
Raspberries, charred oak and cedar all kicking away nicely when I swirled the glass. A good whiff of plums and plum jam - the European style loaded with fruit, not the sugar laden jam often seen on shelves.
The palate highlighted by soft, supple and silky flavours of plums and blackberry fruits. A touch of chocolate sneaks in too. Gorgeous soft powdery tannins cap off a delight.

A wonderful example of precision winemaking and something worth considering to treat yourself with.

Available at online or through selected independent retailers. Or if in the Yarra, contact Luke for an appointment.

Who: Luke Lambert www.lukelambertwines.com.au
What: Syrah (13% alc)
Where: Yarra Valley
When: 2010
How: $65

Follow me: www.twitter.com/Qwine
at

McLeish Estate Dwyer Rosé 2012


I was sharing this with friends and as I was topping up glasses, I was met with the response, "Oh, I don't like sweet wine."

This response is one which is sadly common amongst those with preconceived ideas on Riesling and Rosé. Movements such as @RoseRev are doing a fabulous job to get more people to introduce themselves to a bit of pink, but also break down the barriers which have been built for whatever reason. Most importantly, not all Riesling and Rosé are sweet!

This Rosé from the Hunter Valley is made from Shiraz. Bright cherry appearance, there are aromas of currants and watermelon, though these aromas weren't leaping from the glass.

A dry style Rosé, there is a lick of spice and some textural interest on the palate. Good length backs this up well too. A wine to have with food, the back label suggests Turkish Delight flavours, something I wasn't picking up.

Chill down and enjoy with a meat board. I did and it matched the food beautifully.

Who: McLeish Estate http://www.mcleishhunterwines.com.au/
What: Rosé - Shiraz (11.9% alc)
Where: Hunter Valley
When: 2012
How: $18

Follow them: www.twitter.com/McLeishEstate
Follow me: www.twitter.com/Qwine
at

David Hook Pinot Grigio 2012

This Pinot Grigio comes from low yielding vines in the Hunter Valley, and man, it's easy to sip away.

Soft aromas of spring flowers and poached pear lead to a palate delivering good fruit with clean and crisp flavours. Not too complex, this is a great summer drink. The finish lingers nicely and couple this drop with prawns sitting poolside, you'll be making your insides smile.

Good buying for $18. I happily recommend it.


Who: David Hook www.davidhookwines.com.au/
What: Pinot Grigio (11.5% alc)
Where: Hunter Valley
When: 2012
How: $18

Follow them: www.twitter.com/DavidHookWines
Follow me: www.twitter.com/Qwine
at

The Qwine Christmas Stocking

2012 has been a fantastic year! I have had the privilege to meet so many more industry folk whilst also having the opportunity to have a look at an absolute myriad of wines. Some great, some outstanding!
Sincere thanks to those who have assisted me to grow and develop my skills and knowledge. My thanks also to the wineries who have been kind enough to send me samples. Without you, this wouldn't be possible. The wine industry is exceptional for assisting others to learn and enjoy the great drop we call humbly call wine.

So, after blogging some 170+ wines in 2012, here is my pick. There is something here for everyone! Load up with these stocking fillers and many other reasons to celebrate.

Some fizz

Best White under $10

Best Red under $10

Best White under $20

Best Red under $20
Absolute Deliciousness
Something That's Not Sauvignon Blanc
 
Something Different Red
Big Spender
What's on my Christmas Table?
White
Red


Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all!

Cheers,
Steve


at