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.

Ridgemill Estate Ellie Blanc de Blanc 2021

 

A Blanc de Blanc calling for Aperitivo hour. Good gear this from the Granite Belt's Ridgemill Estate.

Howard Park Petit Jeté NV

 

Really enjoyable, this is a serious looking fizz that is not so serious on the hip pocket. Nicely done from the crew at Howard Park.

Oakridge Wines Blanc de Blancs 2015

 

Lovers of creamy and refreshing fizz - step this way.

Wills Domain Cuvée d'Elevage Blanc de Blanc NV

Good persistent delivery from this Blanc de Blanc.

Clovely Estate Blanc de Blanc 2010

A traditional method Blanc de Blanc from Queensland's South Burnett - three hours north-west of Brisbane. With a climate not too dissimilar to the Hunter Valley, cool nights and fertile soils in prime dairy cattle land have enabled good fruit to be grown.

Clovely Estate Blanc de Blanc 2009

This is the first fizz made by Clovely Estate. Started by former winemaker and CEO Luke Fitzpatrick and finished by Sarah Boyce, prior to this Clovely bought their fizz from Hardys and stuck their label on the front.

After four years on lees in the bottle, this steps out and makes an appearance. It's a bloody good first up effort I must admit, my only question is the price. When you go over the $30 mark you start mixing with the serious players. And whilst this is very tidy, I wouldn't pay the asking price. Stick a glass in my hand though and I wouldn't complain at all mind you.

Bready, toasty, and brioche characters are all there. Some lemon and lemon curd add nicely to the profile. The bead is consistent and the colour is on the mark. Good depth and length are certainly engaging which move to a persistent and long finish. A welcome addition to the Clovely portfolio.


Available online or cellar door.

Region: South Burnett
RRP: $35
Source: Sample

www.clovely.com.au

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Shottesbrooke Estate 1337 Blanc de Blanc NV

The fruit for this is sourced from the Adelaide Hills to produce a 100% Chardonnay fizz. Loaded with lemons and a splash of apple, there's almost a lemon tea tree like character as well.

I found it quite light however, more like a Prosecco in some respects. I can see the aperitif appeal offered, but the depth I was looking for wasn't there.

A decent drop but not my style of fizz.

Region: Adelaide Hills

RRP: $20

Source: Sample

www.shottesbrooke.com.au

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Bimbadgen Sparkling Blanc de Blancs 2012

Before heading for greener pastures in 2014, former Bimbadgen winemaker Sarah Crowe added a top tier sparkling to the range. This Blanc de Blanc 2012 makes its debut and it's a damn fine entry at that.

Some creamy and subtle toast with citrusy characters dominating. Possessing an excellent balance which captured my attention, there's a persistent bead of fizz leaving a long length. Yum.

A smidge more time on lees would have developed a little more depth (base wine spent one year on lees), but hey, I can see this clearing out of the cellar door quite easily.

A bloody good first up effort.

Who: Bimbadgen
What: Blanc de Blanc (13% alc)
Where: Hunter Valley
When: 2012
How much: $40

www.bimbadgen.com.au

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DiGiorgio Family Wines Blanc de Blanc 2012

A very easy drinking sparkling which leans itself to being enjoyed as an aperitif.

100% Coonawarra Chardonnay and bottle fermented for nine months.

Fresh characters of pears and apples with some biscuity nuances.

A cleansing palate and although the fruit is a bit thin, damn it is easy to sip away. A drying finish leaves a trail of nougat, biscuit and a little yeastiness.

Worth considering.

Who: Di Giorgio Family Wines
What: Chardonnay (11.5% alc)
Where: Coonawarra
When: 2012
How: $35

www.DiGiorgio.com.au