Soul Growers Black Cellar Sparkling Shiraz 2006

'Tis the season for sparkling Shiraz. What a piece of Australiana it is. As mentioned in a previous post, it is such a versatile drink - aperitif, with a meal (Christmas lunch is a special), or even with dessert. I tested the boundaries further and had it in the pool watching the last session of the day/night Test. And not surprisingly, it was a neat fit there too!

Meerea Park Alexander Munro Aged Release Semillon 2006

Luxurious and precise.

Lovers of aged Semillon will be in heaven here.

Buttered toast, lemon meringue, tangy lemon curd plus lemon zest. The freshness is gob smacking. Layered with complexity, the balance of fruit and acid is spot on - age has been its friend. Honey characteristics are stating to take shape and appear to being moving in at a snails pace. That said, there's still bags of time left in this. Well built, savour every drop.

Excellent.

Region: Hunter Valley
RRP: $75
Source: Sample

www.meereapark.com.au

Subscribe to Qwine here

Follow me: Twitter Qwine Instagram _Qwine

Meerea Park Alexander Munro Shiraz 2006

This vintage was selected to be re-released after ten years due to its quality and ability to age furthermore. Sixty dozen were held back.

Take a whiff and old cedar and savoury herbs move straight into the fray. Lots of deep purple fruit brightened by youthful red fruits. A dash of Christmas cake, dark chocolate and soothing spice add interest. Soft, long, generous. Acidity has softened as you'd expect. Fine tannins walk proudly with their chest puffed out.

Still plenty of life left here. Will hold for another decade and then some.

Very good+

Region: Hunter Valley
RRP: $120
Source: Sample

www.meereapark.com.au

Subscribe to Qwine here

Follow me: Twitter Qwine Instagram _Qwine

Líráh Winter Harvest Nebbiolo 2006

Now here's an interesting story... a winter harvest.

Líráh have succeeded to pick during winter for five successive vintages (2005-2009) and claim to be the only vineyard in the world producing this style consistently.

A quarter of the fruit for this 2006 was picked in April with the balance in June. June! And whilst this style of wine needs to be differentiated from "late harvest" or "ice wine", yields are very low - 1500kg from 1.2 hectares compared to norms around ten tonne per hectare. As a result, only up to 100 cases are produced. Some different vineyard sites have been trialled over the years yet only one is able to produce fruit which doesn't rot delivering ripe, round berries.

Ochre and red brick like in appearance with head spinning aromas of soy sauce, port, mushrooms, oyster sauce and some roasted nuttiness. Oak is present but plays a neat supporting role. The mouth is coated generously and the super fine powdery tannins appear have been sprayed on lingering for what seems an eternity.

A wine you just want to sip and savour every last drop yet it is still working to its peak form.

Will age as long as you want but 20 years is suggested.

Not available retail but can be purchased on premise at Brisbane's Il Centro, Aria and online.

Very good.

Region: Granite Belt
RRP: $95
Source: Tasting

www.lirah.com.au

Subscribe to Qwine here

Follow me: Twitter Qwine Instagram _Qwine

Berand Estate Shiraz 2006

I came across this wine when dining at Emma's of Lovedale and I was very happy with what I saw. I had the Bavarian Pan which was fantastic!

Grown and made a little further up Wilderness Road, the wines are a side project for a Doctor of Mathematics I was told. I contacted the winery some weeks ago and I am yet to hear back from them which is a shame as their story sounds interesting.
Plummy and earthy characters waft around. Vanillin oak clear with a slight oak char character in there too.

Plenty of soft spice, with most of the flavours concentrated on the front and mid palate. The finish is soft and lingers for a good while.

Still some acid kicking around and another five years of age wouldn't be out of the question.

Only available online in quantities of six.

Who: Berand Estate www.BerandEstate.com.au
What: Shiraz (13.6% alc)
Where: Hunter Valley
When: 2006
How: $35 (restaurant wine list)

Follow me: www.twitter.com/Qwine

McWilliams Mount Pleasant Elizabeth Semillon 2006

This wine is the Cellar Aged release and I like the way McWilliams and many wineries go about the deliberate aged release of Semillon. If anything, it highlights how versatile this grape is. A recent look at the Mount Pleasant Elizabeth 2011 was timely, seeing what a few years does to the wine.

The back label states, "...admired when allowed to age gracefully." I'd agree with this for sure.

Bright golden in appearance, there are plenty of powerful aromas of kerosene and even what appeared to be wet rope. A lemon citrus element was evident in there too.

The wine is mouthfilling and coats the palate well. There was a good deal of complexity and the flavours have developed well. Good palate weight added to the picture nicely, as did the texture and density of the fruit. Preserved lemon and lemon cheesecake type flavours kicked around as did some green apple as the wine flowed through to the back.

The acid was soft but there was still some there for future development.

I did enjoy the wine and putting away a few bottles of the new release to savour in a few years is a no brainer. But why wait when the aging has already been done for you. Good value for $24.

Who: McWilliams http://www.mountpleasantwines.com.au/

What: Semillon (10.5% alc)
Where: Hunter Valley
When: 2006
How: $24

Follow them: www.twitter.com/McWilliamsAu & www.twitter.com/MtPleasantWines
Follow me: www.twitter.com/Qwine

Rusty Mutt Shiraz 2006

There's plenty to like about this drop. The funky label builds intrigue, the distinct sense this wine was made with pride, and the price is pretty handy too. For a 2006 vintage to be thrown around at $26 that is quality is simply silly buggers!

The fruit was hand picked and wine made with minimal intervention. Two tonne open fermenters were used and the cap was plunged twice daily. Old French oak (4-5 years) was used for 18 months so the fruit could take centre stage. To maximise what is in the glass, no filtration.

Aromas of rustic earthiness, black fruits, cracked pepper, sweetish oak and a dash of licorice whip up the tail. Plenty going on to arouse the senses!

Medium bodied, the structure and those rustic earthy flavours appealed to me. Licorice characters make a subtle appearance at the end whilst a little oak sweetness drifts past ever so gently. Fine tannins and impressive length finish off the wine beautifully.

Jump on the website an give it a crack. You won't be disappointed.

Who: Rusty Mutt http://www.rustymutt.com.au/
What: Shiraz (14% alc)
Where: McLaren Vale
When: 2006
How: $26

Follow them: www.twitter.com/RustyMutt
Follow me: www.twitter.com/Qwine

Peter Douglas Chime Hoop Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

Medium to full bodied, this wine is loaded with blackberries, spice, vanilla on the nose. These characteristics all flow nicely onto the palate which also adds some mint. Twenty months on American oak has added a lovely edge of sweetness.

A fine finish with blackberries, spice and vanilla all coming to the fore once more.

A very impressive and great value wine for $27, which is readily available at present. A great buy for an '06.

Drink now or within the next couple of years.

Who: Hand Picked Wines http://handpicked-wines.com/
What: Cabernet Sauvignon (14% abv)
Where: Coonawarra
When: 2006
How: $27

Follow them: www.twitter.com/hpwinesint
Follow me: www.twitter.com/Qwine

Munari Schoolhouse Red 2006

Munari is a small winery in the Heathcote region. The wines come from a family operation with emphasis on quality hand made wines. Their wines can be found in boutique bottleshops particularly in Victoria as well restaurants in the same state.

I picked this up at the cellar door which is a tiny little cottage room which oozes the old colonial history which is clearly evident driving up the main street of the town, a short drive down the highway.

Something which really strikes me about Heathcote is the typical bush setting where eucalypt trees line and overhang the roads. The eucalypt characteristic is also evident in many of the wines.

This Schoolhouse Red is an ever changing blend, this 2006 vintage comprises of Malbec (63%), Merlot (27%) and Shiraz (10%)

A striking and impressive colour, the wine is captivating from the outset. Super dark and inky, a powerful nose of stewed plums entwined with some chocolate notes (14% abv).

The palate is a fistful of deliciousness. Super juicy with blackcurrant flavours leaping to the fore. Good fruit which is mouth filling. The finish is super long and lasts for more than a minute leaving some grippy tannin.

A wine to suit hearty food and a little winery worth checking out if in the area.

Heathcote Estate Grenache Noir 2006

Plenty to like here, including the label of this wine. Simple yet effective.

Not many Grenache wines are coming out of Heathcote and this stacked up to those from other regions, specifically those in the Barossa.

The name - Grenache Noir - comes from the Old World, where today we simply refer to the variety as Grenache.

Cold soaking took place for four days and enhanced the colour of the fruit wonderfully, with the wine kept on skins for another week producing a medium bodied wine.

The earthiness on the nose struck me first, and this is a typical Heathcote trait, followed by cherries, raspberries and blackberry. All these characteristics flow smoothly onto a delicate and moreish palate which finishes up with fine tannins and lip smacking length.

Clearly another example here why Heathcote is demanding more respect with such quality.

Toolangi Estate Pinot Noir 2006

The fruit for this wine comes from vineyards at Dixon Creek in the Yarra Valley. There is no winery nor cellar door to greet you, and the wines are generally made at Yering Station. Toolangi wines are sold at the Yarra Valley Dairy which upon my last visit there, showcase numerous smaller wineries and poses as a mini "cellar door" for them. Get stuck into some very yummy cheeses while there too. Hmmm, Goat's cheese...!

A tremendous wine which oozes quality and class and a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a Pinot with five years already on it. Splash it into a decanter and give a good swirl and enjoy the fruits of this magnificent piece of work.

A lightish colour in the glass, shaping up with a ruby appearance. Strawberries and raspberries jump out at you. There is a little forest floor characteristic that sits behind with a smidge of clove and spice, even a mushroomy touch. The palate is met with some of the strawberry and raspberry notes whilst also adding a lovely stewed cherry. A lovely little spice element but I warm to the savoury aspect of the wine. Very enjoyable indeed, finished off with soft tannins which were a little drying.

This is Pinot Noir my friends at a cracking price! And with five years on it, best you get yourself amongst it.

Karra Yerta Eden Valley Riesling 2006

Karra Yerta, like many small businesses, are doing it tough at the moment.  Some wise words shared here by Marie, the owner of Karra Yerta: http://tiny.cc/0il4r

So, rather than sit back and do nothing, I took up the $99 challenge. Challenge not in the least!!! $99 for 6 wines is an absolute bargain! Particularly when it has bottle age on its side and the product is of great quality.
My six arrived a few days ago, a mix of two 06 Riesling, two 07 Riesling, one 06 Shiraz Cabernet and one 07 Shiraz Cabernet.

After a few hours in the fridge curiosity got the best of me, and damn, I wasn't disappointed. The Eden Valley 06 Riesling (12% abv) had a good whiff of kerosene on the nose. I was rubbing my hands together with glee! A palate with good textured minerality, some steely elements, and river stones. Good acid which was in balance, but enough to suggest there was plenty of years left in this bad boy. Super long finish, I was pretty happy, and that was only day one.
I came back to it 24 hours on and the nose had developed some wonderful lemony, citrus peel notes. The palate had released itself a little more too. A terrific drop and I'm looking forward to what the 2007 has to offer!

http://www.karrayertawines.com.au/



Semillon Night @Swirlsniffspit Tuesday 18 October

Semillon was shown in all forms from sparkling, to fresh, to bottle aged to delectable dessert wines. Some notes from this fabulous night....

Sparkling

St Agounant Blanc de Blanc 1999. Spends an amazing 10 years on lees which adds a wonderful depth and complexity. Made in the same style as Champagne. Soft, supple and well textured.

Bimbagen NV Clean and fresh. Touch of citrus on the nose. Very much a drink now style.

Young Semillon

Scarborough Green Label Hunter Valley 2011. Clean with crisp, crunchy acid. Needs food I reckon.

Murray Street Vineyard Barossa Valley 2010. I was pretty keen on this. I was ready to take a leaf out of the @thewinepunter 's book and make the early call of "the wine of the night!".
Clear development already taking shape. Lovely mouth feel and texture. Soft citrus, honey and some melon characteristics. All this for $20... Time to go shopping!

Queensland Semillon

Both of the Queensland wines came from the South Burnett region which is 2.5-3 hours north west of Brisbane. The climate is similar to the Hunter Valley - warm days and cool nights. Not surprisingly, semillon has performed well here for many years too.

Clovely Estate Left Field 2006. Bottle age has been it's friend developing some lovely toasty characteristics. Softer mid palate but lovely length. Very nice.

Barambah First Grid 2008. Needs some time to settle. Acid kick dominant at present. Has potential.

Aged Semillon

Peter Lehmann Margaret, Barossa Valley 2005. This was devine. Texture and fruit superb. Lemon curd is what I was getting. Powers through to the very end. A beauty!

Meerea Park Alexander Munro 2005. A very attractive lemony/lime thing going on here. The acid was prominent and crawls back onto the palate when you think it's gone. More time needed but will be a crowd pleaser hands down in years to come.

Dessert Wines

Punt Road Botrytis Semillon Yarra Valley 2010. Oh I love this drop and I was salivating more than Pavlov's dogs when I saw this on the list.
All elements in sync here. Man it's good! There's citrus and honey, jammy mandarin. Acid beautifully balanced. Drink with caution, or you'll guzzle it too quickly!!!

De Bortoli Black Noble. The best things need little introduction. Chocolate, nutty characters. Lucious length. This is brilliant deluxe, and then some! Be wary, it's addictive.

Rymill Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

With @swirlsniffspit approaching next Tuesday night, I thought I'd get warmed up with a Cabernet from Coonawarra ($25-30).
I tipped it into the decanter and let it sit for an hour before having a look. The colour was impressive. Red and black fruit, dark crimson hue. The nose was typical Cabernet with all the usual suspects - capsicum, snow pea, whiff of oak.
Full bodied (abv 13.5%) and initially on the palate, the acid was prominent. Over the hour or so I looked at this wine it softened slightly. The front of the palate was kicking along here with the back clean. A touch of spice was a welcome characteristic. The tannins were interesting. Gripping, firm, and they too settled over time.
Two words to describe this wine at this stage would be "tight" and "firm". The wine continued to open up and improve, and there are definitely plenty of days left for this one in the cellar. Easy to 2015 in my humble opinion. I've left some in the bottle and it'll be interesting to see how it goes another day on.

And one day on....BOOM! This is the Cabernet I was looking for! A completely different wine. All elements in balance. Nose was inviting and rich. Palate was full of blackberry and plum characters. Finish was long and dangerously delicious. Absolutely spectacular.

Hard to believe there was such a contrast between the two, but no complaints with the end result.