QWine Reviews : 2017

Ridgemill Estate Hungry Horse Tempranillo Grenache 2014

An interesting blend of some Spanish friends which seems to work.

La La Land Malbec 2016

Not a bad starting point for those looking to give Malbec a crack. An easy drinking type best suited for mopping up anything from burgers to pizza to a steak.

Giant Steps Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2017

"One of the best vintages I've seen." The words from Steve Flamsteed when we exchanged a few messages a couple of months ago. Naturally, I put remarks such as those in my back pocket - I knew they would come in handy for future reference. And then the first of his 2017 releases come through the door. And he wasn't wrong. Damn, if the Chardonnay vineyard blend is this fantastic, those single vineyard releases are going to be something else!

Cooks Lot Allotment 3 Handpicked Chardonnay 2015

I reckon Duncan Cook could jam the price up another 5-10 dollars and still sell the lot without trouble. Quality reigns once more from his humble range of wines.

De Bortoli Yarra Valley Villages Chardonnay 2016

A blend of three vineyards, this is a quality everyday Chardonnay which can often be found under $20 in retail land.

De Bortoli Prosecco NV

Prosecco - very much a buzz word at the moment for those playing a fizz game. From the King Valley, here's another example of simple bubbles ready to please.

Valentine Grenache 2016

Heathcote Grenache from the 25 year old Shelmerdine vineyard. A good slurp and a different take on the variety offset from McLaren Vale and Barossan styles.

Even Keel Tumbarumba Chardonnay 2017

Easy drinking Chardy without the bells and whistles. A pleaser rather than a stunner but enjoyable all the same.

3 Tales Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016

Bursting with tropical fruit, aromas spill from the glass en masse.

Ridgemill Estate Cabernet Malbec 2014

Beautifully perfumed with the welcome mat rolled out via delicate mint, cassis and blackcurrant. Scrounge around a bit more for dark berry fruit and what seems fine vanilla.

d'Arenberg The Anthropocene Epoch Mencia 2017

Another intriguing name from the creative juices of Chester Osborne. The Anthropocene Epoch is all about humanity's impact on the planet. Not surprisingly, this is made from biodynamic and organic fruit.

Even Keel Pinot Gris 2017

This is room service wine - it delivers all day...

Ridgemill Estate Chardonnay 2016

Chardonnay is winemaker Peter McGlashan's thing. Here's another beauty from his ever consistent production line of Chardy quality.

Valentine Riesling 2016

A glass of this and sand crab lasagna and life is good. Riesling to sink your teeth into.

AIX Rosé 2016

The French know how to summer in Australia. A perfect partner for a warm day, this Rosé is even better suited to backyard cricket. A cracker!

Bailey Wine Co Bryksy Vineyard Riesling 2017

The second edition of the Bailey Wine Co Riesling and this is an absolute beauty! My last taste (drink) of this (2016 vintage) was sitting by the dam at John Rymill's property just outside Penola in January 2017 as we watched the sunset and scoffed freshly caught lobster from Robe. This suited the purpose just fine then. Wish I had more lobster now...

Angove Alternatus Grenache 2016

Rubbing my hands together with glee... Lip smacking Grenache right here folks!

Robert Stein Aged Release Semillon 2017

Pure Semillon! Although labelled as an Aged Release, this won't be hitting the shelves until early 2019.

Ridgemill Estate Snigley's Rosé 2017

It seems the approach to Rosé at Ridgemill Estate has been shaken up a little - for the better too I must say. This is dotting the i's and crossing the t's with what a modern and scrumptious Rosé should look like.

Eldridge Estate Pinot Noir 2015

Delicate and pure. Welcome to Pinot Noir pleasure country.

Gundog Estate Single Vineyard Old Road Shiraz 2014

I tasted the three Gundog Estate Single Vineyard wines blind and this is the wine that I kept coming back to. Incredibly captivating, this is an example of Hunter Valley medium body purity at its finest.

Gundog Estate Single Vineyard The 48 Block Shiraz 2014

The 48 Block is owned by the Tinkler family and is part of the Lindemans Ben Ean plantings - tiny berries and loose bunches are produced from this crop.

Pig in the House Chardonnay 2017

Organic and biodynamic Chardonnay from Cowra in New South Wales.

Cooks Lot Allotment 333 Riesling 2017

Killer Riesling! I could dive into this with pike.

First Drop Wines Vivo Arneis 2016

This has me thinking of tempura prawns for whatever reason. Good drinking Arneis from the Adelaide Hills.

Witches Falls Sauvignon Blanc 2017

A simple Sauvignon Blanc drink sure to please those seeking chilled refreshment.

Pig in the House Organic Rosé 2017

The Australian Organic Market Report (2017) states that organic wine consumption has increased steadily over the past five years with the number of consumers said to have purchased organic wine increasing from 13% (2012) to 20% (2016). Some good numbers there in anyone's lingo.

Jason O'Dea, owner of Pig in the House with wife Rebecca, has noticed this increase too with the demand for Rosé.

Gundog Estate Single Vineyard Somerset Shiraz 2014

A charm from the well documented incredible Hunter Valley 2014 vintage.

Westcourt Riesling 2016

Here's a beauty from a place you'd least expect. I received this Riesling as part of a mail out representing the trophy winning wines from the Mudgee Wine Show. This Westcourt Riesling took out Champion Wine of Show after scooping the pool as Most Outstanding White Wine and Best White Wine (not Chardonnay or Semillon).

Lazy Oak Vineyard Rosé 2017

I was sent a pack containing the trophy winners from the Mudgee Show. This took out the gong for best Rosé. A great drink.

Cooks Lot Allotment 8 Handpicked Shiraz 2015

A clever wine that continued to nestle into a neat groove over a couple of days. A big tick handed out with big pours the order of the day.

Yelland & Papps Pinot Blanc 2017

Sun's out, Pinot Blanc out!
Refreshing drinking for your summer pleasure. Chill hard and drop in a straw.

Witches Falls Verdelho 2017

Michael McAteer, the Witches Falls sales gun, personally dropped a number of samples around recently. He's running all over the place from northern NSW to the Sunshine Coast, he tells me, for numerous functions, retail and on premise sales. Great to see the success of the brand continuing to build each year. He says they send a heap to Sydney as well as their Asian export market too - good stuff.

Verdelho has always been a sweetheart for their customers - they can't keep up with production. Easy to see why here, it's quite a refreshing drink.

First Drop Wines The Matador Garnacha 2016

The label says 'Grab it by the horns'. I'll second that. An easy go to - a sessional red if you will. A whole lot of fun with the enjoyment factor cranked high.

Even Keel Canberra District Syrah 2016

A really enjoyable wine to kick back with. No bells and whistles here - just cool climate charm sure to please.

Airlie Bank Sauvignon Blanc 2017

Barrel fermented Sauv Blanc. An exciting release injected with pleasure. As per the back label, "Thank you for your time and indulgence."

Meerea Park Terracotta Syrah 2016

No Terracotta Syrah was produced in 2015 due to vintage conditions. Things returned to the norm in 2016 and it was considered to be a 'classic' vintage.

Irrewarra Pinot Noir 2015

Irrewarra is an Aboriginal word meaning 'long spear throw'.
This label comes from the hands of Nick Farr and I was thrilled when he got in touch asking if I'd like a sample. A superb Pinot to get your hands on, one of those sip all night types.

Singlefile Wines Single Vineyard Fumé Blanc 2016

This release doesn't have the get up and go which I had hoped for. The 2015 was an energetic type - perhaps a dose of Ritalin would have calmed it a bit. But it had some personality through. This 2016 starting out with creme brûlée and buttered popcorn aromas and I was keen.

Shottesbrooke Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2017

A grassy type of Savvy if that's your thing. Lots of aromas of green things floating around here.

Redman Wines Cabernet Merlot 2014

Always a top performer and great value again. The fruit comes from the family's 40 year old vines and spent 18 months in French oak before being bottled in February 2016.

Yarra Yering Pinot Noir 2015

"Treasure, that is what you are..." The opening line from Bruno Mars' song Treasure is more than appropriate here. Coming from vines originally planted in 1969 with some cuttings taken and planted in the early 80's, 20% whole bunch dials up the sexy factor.