Now this is purely out of interest, it's a long way outside of my normal shopping list!
The nose has a bit of match strike, stewed apple and nashi pear, palate has a weird texture and a distinct lack of flavour which you might expect if the fruit is in fact early harvest. It's kind of round and flabby, pineapple stands out, with a touch of acidity that's a bit disjointed.
Simply it's a pretty basic wine but you'd expect it for a lighter alcohol lighter calorie option.
Critics don't rate this really, Ben Edwards via Wine Companion gave it a dismal 79pts and I'd rather not give it a rating as I don't rate it really.
Value for money, well it's like $15 out there but unless your searching for a low calorie option specifically I'd say even that's a waste of cash unfortunately.
In summary this isn't terrible or unpalatable but it definitely wouldn't be near my first choice at the bottle shop.
Annie's Lane Quelltaler Watervale Riesling 2011
Now let's look at a well rated rizza from one of Australia's most recognised Riesling regions from one of Australia's worst recent Riesling vintages. I can't say I've loved many Rieslings from 2011 but lets see where we end up here.
Typical Watervale nose soft pretty citrus, nectarine, florals and musk. Palate has surprisingly good fruit, well balanced with acidity. All citrus with that hint of musk. Nicely focussed with good length, making me want to look to another glass.
This is a great easy drinking style of Riesling that is still a dry style but has nice approachable acidity and good fruit to carry it. Summer's day and the right food you're really in business here.
Halliday via Ben Edwards 94, Gary Walsh - Via Winefront gave this a 92.... I say little harsh Walshy... I'll sit with Benny Boy on this one 94!
Value for money... well where do I start.... $25 RRP... stretching it a little but if you grabbed it for $19.99 or within a couple bucks your in the ball game.
Wrap up, yep wrap me a 6 pack up to go! Good luck kids and happy drinking!
Typical Watervale nose soft pretty citrus, nectarine, florals and musk. Palate has surprisingly good fruit, well balanced with acidity. All citrus with that hint of musk. Nicely focussed with good length, making me want to look to another glass.
This is a great easy drinking style of Riesling that is still a dry style but has nice approachable acidity and good fruit to carry it. Summer's day and the right food you're really in business here.
Halliday via Ben Edwards 94, Gary Walsh - Via Winefront gave this a 92.... I say little harsh Walshy... I'll sit with Benny Boy on this one 94!
Value for money... well where do I start.... $25 RRP... stretching it a little but if you grabbed it for $19.99 or within a couple bucks your in the ball game.
Wrap up, yep wrap me a 6 pack up to go! Good luck kids and happy drinking!
Seppelt Fleur de Lys Vintage 2008
Well another bubbles.... what's going on you say, well I've been exposed more recently to a lot more bubbly goodness so I'm about to declare it a sparkling summer!!
This has lovely creamy yeasty nose with citrus notes indicating its fresh nature. Palate has nice fine textured mousse, good white peach and citrus, nice focussed acid and crisp clean finish. Finishes shortish but overall great little aperitif style.
Simply a good little bubbles. Quite traditional style not overly fruity and quite dry so if your a sweet fruit bomb sipper then maybe give it a shot to convert you from the dark side.
Critics gave it an ok wrap with Lord Halliday at 89pts and not taking the cost into account I don't disagree. I think its a good little bubbles for the price and 91pts having to put a number on it.
Value for money is where this wine is an absolute winner!! Bottle fermented vintage sparkling you can pick up for under twenty bucks...! Definitely gets my vote! I picked this up at $14 on special at First Choice Liquor, this means bubbles fans that good ol' Dan's is off the mark retailing it at a touch over $16 currently. Seppelt says it should be $23.99 and if I'd payed that I'd be ok with it. If you're getting it sub $18 your in good shape.
Summary, if you're in a chain store and need to top up your 6 pack to get everything a little cheaper, slipping a couple of these in would be a grand plan! In fact if you chucked a couple of these, a couple Moet Grand Vintage 2004's and a Cliquot or two in then just swing round to mine for a Sunday session! Ciao and happy sipping!
This has lovely creamy yeasty nose with citrus notes indicating its fresh nature. Palate has nice fine textured mousse, good white peach and citrus, nice focussed acid and crisp clean finish. Finishes shortish but overall great little aperitif style.
Simply a good little bubbles. Quite traditional style not overly fruity and quite dry so if your a sweet fruit bomb sipper then maybe give it a shot to convert you from the dark side.Critics gave it an ok wrap with Lord Halliday at 89pts and not taking the cost into account I don't disagree. I think its a good little bubbles for the price and 91pts having to put a number on it.
Value for money is where this wine is an absolute winner!! Bottle fermented vintage sparkling you can pick up for under twenty bucks...! Definitely gets my vote! I picked this up at $14 on special at First Choice Liquor, this means bubbles fans that good ol' Dan's is off the mark retailing it at a touch over $16 currently. Seppelt says it should be $23.99 and if I'd payed that I'd be ok with it. If you're getting it sub $18 your in good shape.
Summary, if you're in a chain store and need to top up your 6 pack to get everything a little cheaper, slipping a couple of these in would be a grand plan! In fact if you chucked a couple of these, a couple Moet Grand Vintage 2004's and a Cliquot or two in then just swing round to mine for a Sunday session! Ciao and happy sipping!
Pandora's Amphora 2011
Here's another interesting number that had me intrigued from my little visit to McLaren vale a week or so ago at a 'Pop up' cellar door.
This wine is not exactly what you'd expect, unfiltered therefore cloudy, blend of some crazy varietals therefore a little stinky but super interesting! I get butterscotch, peach, fuji apples, candlewax and amongst all that hints of citrus. Palate has the most amazing texture and weight, packed full of fruit but this dominating savouriness that gives the wine impeccable balance. Ugly but interesting as a summary!
To simplify, this is not a qwoffer folks, this is a journey and a very interesting one at that! Not what you'd expect is a plain way to put it. Savory but fruit, stinky but perfumed ... put those in a sentence and make them make.... well sense!!!
Ratings... so this has picked up a few accolades around the traps including a Gold at the Alternative wines show which in my humble opinion is a given on this wine! Campbell Mattinson gave it 93 points and my friends although it's not my style my humble rating is a solid 92!
Value for money isn't even a question worth considering on this number. 567 bottles produced or something in that space so if you even get 1 then you're a lucky person! I believe you're looking about $85 to check this funky little number out and you'll be glad you did!! I tell you I'd rather pay $85 for this than a plane trip to Sydney, I'll get far more intrigue and enjoyment and I'll end up spending far less cash on the night out!
Now this wine is for the wine nerds in all of us and not for your average punter, so if it's a qwoffer you're after or even a wine to bring to dinner to a not so wine nerdy friends place then steer clear! If you are with friends who share in your wine nerdyness and like to consider what they are drinking rather than just drink it then Perfect! Good luck and as always happy drinking!!
This wine is not exactly what you'd expect, unfiltered therefore cloudy, blend of some crazy varietals therefore a little stinky but super interesting! I get butterscotch, peach, fuji apples, candlewax and amongst all that hints of citrus. Palate has the most amazing texture and weight, packed full of fruit but this dominating savouriness that gives the wine impeccable balance. Ugly but interesting as a summary!
To simplify, this is not a qwoffer folks, this is a journey and a very interesting one at that! Not what you'd expect is a plain way to put it. Savory but fruit, stinky but perfumed ... put those in a sentence and make them make.... well sense!!!Ratings... so this has picked up a few accolades around the traps including a Gold at the Alternative wines show which in my humble opinion is a given on this wine! Campbell Mattinson gave it 93 points and my friends although it's not my style my humble rating is a solid 92!
Value for money isn't even a question worth considering on this number. 567 bottles produced or something in that space so if you even get 1 then you're a lucky person! I believe you're looking about $85 to check this funky little number out and you'll be glad you did!! I tell you I'd rather pay $85 for this than a plane trip to Sydney, I'll get far more intrigue and enjoyment and I'll end up spending far less cash on the night out!
Now this wine is for the wine nerds in all of us and not for your average punter, so if it's a qwoffer you're after or even a wine to bring to dinner to a not so wine nerdy friends place then steer clear! If you are with friends who share in your wine nerdyness and like to consider what they are drinking rather than just drink it then Perfect! Good luck and as always happy drinking!!
The Lane Block 3 Chardonnay 2009
Sunday arvo calls for a glass of Chard so here it is!
Right so a great friend of mine recommended I try this and I've not been disappointed. Melon, citrus and very distinct minerality on the nose laced with a hint of struck match and a well integrated seasoning of oak. Palate has this amazingly fresh but complex mouthfeel, great fruit supported by the salt and pepper approach of oak gives this intrigue. The tertiary savory notes that help the texture of this wine are supported by nice gentile focused acidity that show this wine has been gently nurtured to be the wonderful drop it is today.
Basically this is a great approchable little Chardy. Not too much oak, great fruit and youthful acidity and mouthfeel that make it stupidly drinkable. Now there isn't the structure of a fine wine and there isn't the fruit of a fruit bomb but hey I could drink this all day!
Our lord Halliday gives this 91 and on two separate occasions Tyson Stelzer changed his mind from a 92 to a 94 and by golly I'll split those odds and say 93 points for this sexy little chard!
Value for money.... well I'd say that a chard under $30 is probably not been treated the way you'd hope so god if you've paid less you've got a bargain on this little number!
Wrap it up you say, well I say the same!!! Wrap up a bottle, shove it in the post and land it on my doorstep, this will be a lovely afternoon's drinking in my house. Enjoy!
Right so a great friend of mine recommended I try this and I've not been disappointed. Melon, citrus and very distinct minerality on the nose laced with a hint of struck match and a well integrated seasoning of oak. Palate has this amazingly fresh but complex mouthfeel, great fruit supported by the salt and pepper approach of oak gives this intrigue. The tertiary savory notes that help the texture of this wine are supported by nice gentile focused acidity that show this wine has been gently nurtured to be the wonderful drop it is today.Basically this is a great approchable little Chardy. Not too much oak, great fruit and youthful acidity and mouthfeel that make it stupidly drinkable. Now there isn't the structure of a fine wine and there isn't the fruit of a fruit bomb but hey I could drink this all day!
Our lord Halliday gives this 91 and on two separate occasions Tyson Stelzer changed his mind from a 92 to a 94 and by golly I'll split those odds and say 93 points for this sexy little chard!
Value for money.... well I'd say that a chard under $30 is probably not been treated the way you'd hope so god if you've paid less you've got a bargain on this little number!
Wrap it up you say, well I say the same!!! Wrap up a bottle, shove it in the post and land it on my doorstep, this will be a lovely afternoon's drinking in my house. Enjoy!
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