Pewsey Vale The Contours Riesling Museum Reserve 2016

 

Bam! Riesling with a little age and the taste buds explode. Let it sit for a while and don't serve it too cold before watching it emerge gracefully. An excellent wine from Pewsey Vale celebrating 175 years. 

Levantine Hill Blanc de Blanc 2016

 

This is a great fizz from Levantine Hill. Classy stuff, I can't help but feel fancy with this in the glass. It offers yet another reason to support local rather than those mass produced Frenchies.

Levantine Hill Melissa's Paddock Syrah 2016

 

Quite firm and dense on opening, let it breathe to see it at its best.

Zema Estate Saluti Cabernet Shiraz 2016

 

Celebrating 40 years, the Saluti has been released to commemorate the occasion. A 72/28 blend and coming from the best barrels, this is an excellent wine.

Juniper Cornerstone Wilyabrup Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

A well-built wine with a readiness to age seeping through its veins, this Juniper Cornerstone is an excellent layered Cabernet full of interest.

Woodstock Vintage Fortified Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

 

As part of a new tasting experience at the Woodstock cellar door, three fortifieds and a Botrytis have been matched with Haigh's Chocolates. You had me at chocolate!

De Iuliis Aged Release Semillon 2016

 

Although the shelves in retail land are packed with current vintage wines, isn't it a beautiful thing that some wineries hold back stock for an aged release? Only 150 dozen were tucked away of this Semillon and what a treat it is for those who enjoy Semillon with some time on its side.

Patrick of Coonawarra Joanna Shiraz 2016

 

Sourced from Patrick's Wrattonbully vineyards, this is a big muscular red that is not ready to settle down just yet. I had this open for a couple of hours before getting to it and it didn't seem to budge all that much. Like 'em big? Here's your weapon.

Patrick Coonawarra Home Block Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

 

Patrick of Coonawarra is one of the quiet achievers in the historic region. One of their strengths is their ability to produce age-worthy reds and whites. This Cabernet off the Home Block is no different. By the way, I love the new labels.

Moorilla Cloth Label White 2016

 

A skinsy white with plenty of personality. It's rich with rounded shoulders as it slides through with ease. I have no detail on the make up of this wine, but does that matter when it tastes and feels so good?

Oakridge Blanc de Blanc 2016

 

Loaded with interest, this is a great fizz worth splashing in your glass.

Lienert Estate Laudamus Shiraz 2016

 

A bit of old-school charm, this flagship Lienert Estate Laudamus Shiraz is named after pioneering father John A Lienert 1941-2014. Meaty, black dense fruit plus some warmth, I took a likening to it as time went on.

Domain A Pinot Noir 2016

 

Something the Kiwis do better than Australians is releasing Pinot Noir with some age on its side. Generally, once Australian Pinot is bottled, the wine is thrown into retail land but something I really enjoyed over the ditch was the desire to hold Pinot Noir back to let it express itself in full. It is great to see some Australian producers such as Domain A being patient and rewarding consumers with an excellent wine with some bottle age.

McGuigan Wines Personal Reserve Chardonnay 2016

 

A Cellar Door exclusive, this Chardonnay is on the old school side of the spectrum. It's creamy with a little weight in the booty. 

Pirate Cru Wines IMP's Mataro 2016

 

When seeking some inner pleasure, this is a great wine to turn to. So often Cabernet and Shiraz get that privilege yet this Mataro fills the brief admirably.

Pirate Cru Wines William Hunt Grenache 2016

 

Sourced from Centenarian vines from the Vine Vale sub-region, I could sip on this all night. This is a very good Grenache that oozes moreishness.

Santa and d'Sas Renno Riesling 2016

 

I was gifted this Riesling a little while ago and held off for the right moment. Warming up for six kilos of Porchetta seemed an appropriate occasion. Good gear this with years left in the bank.

Yelland and Papps Limited Cuvée Roussanne 2016

 

Find me a better producer of Roussanne in Australia - I dare you. The consideration, judicious handling and layers of interest Yelland & Papps generate from this variety are simply incredible. Here is a Roussanne of unrivaled proportions. An excellent wine hands down.

Pizzini Rubacuori Sangiovese 2016

 

These playful new labels capture the Pizzini history fabulously. This one is of Katrina Pizzini on the front of what seems her new car. I would be sitting on a Maroon XD Falcon but that's another story... Here we have a serious expression of Sangiovese. Sink your teeth in and your claws. Delicious and then some.

Pizzini Coronamento Nebbiolo 2016

 

Gee, I love the new label of the Coronamento with Robert Pizzini playing in the mountains of Trentino circa 1950. A polished Nebbiolo as you'd expect from the Pizzini's, this is an excellent wine.