QWine Reviews - Australian Wine Reviews: November 2018

Wednesday, 28 November 2018

Unsung Hero Barbera 2017

Unsung Hero is a side project for winemaker Andy Williams, and what an entry he has made with this debut wine! Such a beautifully presented Barbera, this will bowl over many who choose to stand in its way.

These Credaro wines are a new label for me, and I like what I see. A great Chardy here ticking the boxes.

A bottle of fun oozing chillax factor.

Tyrrell's Belford Chardonnay 2016

A ripping Chardonnay from the sandy soils of the Belford vineyard planted in 1991.

Pizza wine coming at ya. I'll have the meat lovers, please.

The back label suggests having this with Italian or Asian food. I reckon grab a burger in one hand and a glass of this in the other.

Pizzini Pinot Grigio 2018

Here we go. Pinot Grigio in the groove. A classic sure to please.

Tasting this reminds me of an amazing Riesling tasting experience with Chester Osborn many years ago. Always out there for a challenge, he was out to prove McLaren Vale could produce Riesling and those wines could age. This release is not shy either and has the potential to reward the patient.

An easy drinking Fiano from McLaren Vale and the first release of this variety from Hastwell and Lightfoot.

Organic Sauvignon Blanc from the NSW Central Ranges.

Schwarz Wine Co Meta Grenache 2018

Winemakers take note: Please don't put wines like this in front of me...
Such a delicious wine! The sort of stuff that could be fed to me via a drip and I'd have no qualms. Super Grenache!

Oakridge can Chardonnay! Oh my, this is a beauty. Sourced from a north facing Lusatia Park site, wrap your arms around this.

Barossa Chardonnay is not all that common. This comes from a small Rowland Flat site planted in 2005.

Alkimi The Good Earth Grenache 2017

A lip smacking Grenache with a kiss of savoury goodness partnering juicy fruit. Yummo!

Named Five Tales after the five vineyards Credaro tend to in the Margaret River region. Good Cabernet for the money.

A great wine made for casual hangouts and long tables of food to share.

Oakridge Meunier Rosé 2016

The Oakridge gang have really brought Pinot Meunier to the fore. They've even gone all hipster and removed "Pinot" in their branding too. Clever. Smart fizz this. Such a softly spoken individual.

Something a little different. Something a little superb. It's a wine which may not be for everyone but it pushes the boundaries and gets the taste buds singing. Pinot Gris on skins - ripping for 20 bucks!

A reliable type, just like those old Triumph motorbikes you see Tim Smith riding around the Barossa.

Montalto Estate Chardonnay 2017

Another vintage, another beauty for the Estate Chardonnay from Montalto. A glass of radiant sunshine!

I was expecting a little more pizzazz admittedly, but what you get is a solid Cabernet nonetheless.

Barossa Grenache more in the old school realm, that is, ripe fruit with that boiled lolly thing going on.

Leeuwin Estate Siblings Shiraz 2016

Reliable Shiraz from Margaret River with a dollop of Malbec (3%) and a drop of Viognier (1%).

This wine takes my mind away to candied citrus tart with an almond praline. Oh the life... A delicious dessert wine nonetheless.

Two Hands Sexy Beast Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

I was once referred to as a sexy beast, but that's another story entirely. Here's a solid McLaren Vale Cabernet.

They make 'em big in Langhorne Creek. Black and brooding in the glass, there's plenty of comfort in the glass.

A blend of Cabernet, Petite Sirah and Merlot from the Riverland. A good barbecue wine.

TarraWarra Estate Pinot Noir Rosé 2018

I tasted five Rosés and this was head and shoulders above the pack. Damn it was impressive. Great fruit and a well-balanced wine oozing charisma and refreshment - what more so you want?

The more I look at this the more I think of a red berry danish. There's some textural goodness but it's the pastry aromas which pique my interest.

I popped in to see winemaker Andy Williams on the weekend to pick up a few samples he wanted me to check out. I asked him about this Rosé, and just like a proud father with that gleam in his eye, you could tell he was pretty excited about this release.

A very easy slurp. It's easy to see how wines like this shift pretty easily. Dry to finish but the sweetness at the start is sure to lure more than a few.

A glass of this and a meat board is the go. Rosato from the Barossa Valley.

Schwarz Wine Co GSM 2017

Such a delicious drink to throw in the glass and unwind. GSM for the win!

Arneis is a variety not seen much in Australia. Lots of happiness lies within the glass.

The Lana range from Pizzini represents good value. This Pinot Grigio gets the nod.

A new label for me and it's a good intro. Solid Pinot Gris from Margaret River.

Thirty bucks for a Verdelho? Woah? Can't recall seeing that before...

Some good aromas greet you to invite you in. Lemon zest and lemon meringue pie plus some canned apple.

Tyrrell's Single Vineyard Belford Semillon 2013

Five years young and it screams of a youthful wine. Such a delicate and pristine Semillon which has many years ahead of it.

This grew on me. Give it some air and it steps up. A lovely drink - if you like 'em big.

From a vineyard 800m comes this Chardonnay from Orange, NSW.

A good Riesling from Western Australia's Great Southern region. Bone dry with tight acidity, tempura prawns anyone?

Tim Smith Eden Valley Viognier 2018

Tim Smith loves Viognier. He reckons it doesn't get the praise it deserves. Here's one very worthy of that praise - a winner primed to glisten in your glass and in your belly.

Such a clever wine for the money. What's more, it's the blending of fruit from four regions - Riverland, Barossa, Murray-Darling and Wrattonbully. A screaming bargain!