QWine Reviews - Australian Wine Reviews: February 2020

Saturday, 29 February 2020

Maude Chardonnay 2019

For 30 bucks I reckon this is a scream. So much interest and pleasure all rolled into one.

A fab Rosé hands down. "Inspired by the women in my life" are the words on the label courtesy of winemaker Narelle King.

Stu Dudine tears out some pretty smart wines. Here's another great Rosé from his very consistent label.

A very enjoyable Yarra Valley Rosé oozing textural feels and savoury goodness.

A big personality with a kind heart. You could cuddle up to this Cabernet with ease.

I reviewed this Grampians Shiraz nearly three years ago soon after release. It's great to have the chance to revisit it and see where things are at, and I'm pleased to report it is aging beautifully.

Maude Pinot Gris 2019

Central Otago Pinot Gris in the sweet spot. Bang!

Only sold in New Zealand, if you get the chance to wrap your laughing gear around this one, please do.

Such a delicious Riesling off 15 year old vines.

The sommelier at Noble Rot Wine Bar in Wellington was very keen for me to buy this. Oh, why not? Quite a delicious wine with some weight behind it.

Eden Valley Cabernet with three years under its belt.

A tense number, I reckon you'll see it at its best in a couple of years.

Berton Vineyards have a knack of producing respectable wines at good prices. This Chardonnay is no different.

A very handy drink for $22.

Bailey Wine Co Rosé 2019

A splendid weekend kick back kinda wine. Slide this into your glass and laze poolside or bird bath (or any body of water for that matter).

Pegasus Bay's General Manager Paul Donaldson, the youngest of the family, was kind enough to walk me through their range of wines on a recent trip to New Zealand. Vergence, he tells me, is when the pupils of the eyes look outwards in opposite directions before focusing. I'm still trying to nail that one. Here's a 100% whole bunch, carbonic and naturally fermented Pinot Noir.

Stand and applaud. What an absolute belter this is!

Oh I enjoyed this. It certainly grew on me.

Granite Belt Viognier with engaging aromas ready to let loose.

A crowd pleasing Pinot Gris.

As easy going Eden Valley Pinot Gris.

Bailey Wine Co Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2017

Tim Bailey is smashing out some smart wines at the moment. His little side project has grown to become his #1 winemaking venture. Small operators like these are the ones worth latching onto.

Such a fabulous Chardonnay from New Zealand's Wairapa region. There's great depth and drive here yet it feels unforced.

I wasn't expecting to come across a Malbec when in the Waipara district, and here we are. A pretty handy wine this is too.

Damn I enjoyed this. An expressive and inviting Pinot Noir. I even grabbed one for the road.

Chardonnay in the zone. A rock solid drink from the Waipara district.

As summer draws to a close, here's a tidy wine to help you ride into Autumn.

Here's a big street tough outta the Barossa.

Curly Flat Chardonnay 2018

A beautifully balanced Chardonnay smashing the pleasure zone. Wow!

If there was such a thing as a sessional Pinot, this would be awfully close. It's such a delicious wine with no fuss or pretentiousness. Glasses are empty in no time with wines like these.

A luscious fruit forward Chardonnay from a little place called Wanaka.

I hired a bike and rode from Arrowtown to Gibbston last week. If you're ever in that neck of the woods, do it! The scenery is stunning. Naturally, I needed to hydrate so it only made sense to drop in to Peregrine. It makes sense, they were on the track... A solid Central Otago Pinot Noir here.

Super fresh Pinot Gris. A delightful drink.

I really enjoyed this Riesling - a class act.

There is plenty of Riesling with varying amounts of residual sugar being toyed with in the Central Otago region. This wine from Peregrine carries 25 grams.

Thomas Wines Elenay Shiraz 2018

What this wine demonstrates best is Andrew Thomas' ability to blend parcels of his top fruit and create a wine of supreme class. Soon to be released, run at this, don't walk.

I just want in. Big love for this release of the Dam Block.

I was in Wellington recently and it was suggested that I head to the Noble Rot Wine Bar - what a place! A smart list coupled with clever food and cool vibes, I was just smitten. I ordered a glass of this Chardonnay off the list, and then another. A fabulous drink from Martinborough and then some.

Head off the main track and down Georges Road in the Waipara region to find The Bone Line. This Chardonnay is a beauty and shows once again that this region is one that deserves more kudos than it is given.

If big is your thing, here's a Pinot Noir with some muscle.

Georges Road Williams Hill Pinot Noir 2018

Such a pretty wine from the Waipara region. Only 45 minutes north of Christchurch, it's a region that doesn't get the respect it deserves.

A very tidy Riesling to arm yourself with when the bell rings for aperitivo hour.

From a warm Waipara vintage comes this Syrah.

Pinot Noir from a relatively new region in New Zealand. Waitaki can be found in the North Otago area.

A simple Pinot Noir from the Central Otago sub-region of Gibbston.

Thomas Wines Sweetwater Shiraz 2018

I was offered the opportunity to have a look at the 2018 Thomas Wines reds prior to their release. This Sweetwater oozes adorable precision.

Just up the road from the Sweetwater vineyard you can find the home for this Belford. Grown on 20 year old vines on red loam over limestone, this is a deep and powerful type.