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!

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!!

Moet & Chandon Grand Vintage Champagne 2004

Yes guys you did read that title right! It has been a while but I'm coming back with a bang! I knew I've been lazy so I thought I'd make sure I treat you all! (Perhaps in treating myself I also felt guilty, don't worry though I actually was given this wine as a thank you gift! I can't afford to lash out on this stuff! Until someone pays me to review this stuff don't expect to see anything this good again any time soon!)

Just looking at it makes me smile, amazing pale lemon colour with an amazingly persistant fine bead that just screams quality. Subtlety is not this Champagne's strong point, beautifully lifted stone fruit, lemon and marzipan laced with subtle creamy yeasty notes that draw you in. The palate is like heaven, most amazing juicy yet creamy mouth feel, nice citrus and white peach. Great focussed acids leaving my mouth watering after a long lingering finish with lovely honeysuckle. The structure and the richness of this wine is just wonderful.

Wow what a fizz! So beautifully delicate but wonderfully powerful. Juicy and creamy at the same time with great fruit holding its own. Great mouthfeel and the most delicious way to start a meal or celebrate! It's like a party in my mouth!

Now the release of this is very fresh so I'm yet to find a rating out there to reference but I'll be more than surprised if this gets anything under 95 points from any reputable critic. I'm sticking it right there at 95+ points.

Now value for money..... RRP at $120 ouch! Available at most 'Chain' stores around $95 when your bulk purchasing and look seriously I'm not one for paying that kind of money for a bottle to qwoff... I'm thinking for a celebration of sorts then why not throw a bit more in the kitty and upgrade from NV to vintage cause it's a hell of a lot better! Value for money by comparison to buying a Dom Perignon or Krug it is a much more drink now style so if your drinking it then there is value in being able to grab two of these!!

So I will leave you now to top up my glass, sit back and enjoy this! I wish I had some caviar or oysters!! Good luck and Happy Drinking!! (cause I'm quite happy now!)

Oakdene Peta's Pinot Noir 2010

Ok so I zipped around the bay on recommendation from a friend in 'experiencing #FilthyGoodVino on a regular basis' places in search of this absolute Star producer. On that mission I found this wine!

Varietal this Pinot is! Fruit intensity by the truck load! Dark cherry, forest berries, raspberry, liquorice, bursts of beautiful spice and subtle forrest floor aromas. The palate is lively due to it's youth, again with the raspberry and forest berry and the outstanding fruit intensity. The acid structure gives this wine is life and keeps it going on and on and on.

Wow what a Pinot. Lots of fruit but still retaining the spice and earthy tones that good Pinot should have. Pinot lovers will cream over this and Shiraz drinkers will definitely tolerate it.

The big man Lord Halliday rates this 94pts, Gary Walsh gave it a 95 and my humble pinotphile opinion is with Gary at 95 POINTS sports fans!

Value for money.... I only have cellar door price to go on and I paid $35 and am well and truly happy with my investment! Apparently there are both restaurants and a few independent bottle shops around Melbourne and Geelong that stock this product but that will be up to you guys to find them.

Long story short.... Just buy it!!! I love Mornington Pinot so don't get be wrong but I seriously will drive to the other side of the bay for this wine and then pay $35 for it! Go get some! It's seriously a game changer! Good luck and happy drinking!

Ninth Island Sauvignon Blanc 2011

Ok so Sav Blanc, let's not go into a discussion about it, not a wine I go searching for but when an absolute cracker lands in my lap I really do have to share it.

We've all been absolutely overwhelmed by the influx of Savvy from our brothers and sisters across the Tasman that we are all sick of it to the bone, unfortunately it still makes up an absolutely mind blowing fraction of the market so why fight it. Now this little Tassie number was forced upon me by a Tasmanian mate of mine preaching that I would be converted and I have to say converted I nearly was.

Pure and clear with lime green and lemon rind hues this little number glistens up out of the glass and carries aromas of passionfruit, honeydew melon and other various tropical fruits that excite you. Hints of grassy herbaceousness creep through if you search for them but definitely a big pretty fruit salad nose. The palate is remarkably well structured for Sav Blanc with an obvious focus of fruit and acid balance as well as a great level of residual sugar rounding the palate out. Tropical fruit with a passion fruit dominance balanced out by subtle savouriness, a welcome minerality in the palate that intrigues me. This is a seriously good Sav Blanc that has really taken me by surprise.

Wine people, this actually has some depth and complexity about it to interest most people enough. Sav Blanc drinkers this will blow your mind! Punter looking for something new and different, don't be discouraged by the fact this is a Savvy cause it's phenomenal.

Ok so I haven't really done in depth research on this wine to be totally honest but I'm sure it rates relatively well. Cracker wines (who's website confuses the crap out of me by the way) rate this 3.5 out of 5 which must only be because their discount is is only low or something. This gets a very solid 92pts from me and only because I think the acids could offend some punters who aren't expecting it but GO TASSIE SAVVY B!!!

Value for money, ok here is the contentious point on this wine. $23RRP... Cracker $17.95, Dan's $16.99 in a mixed 6 and varying prices around the market in between there. Me I'm well and truly happy to pay in that space for this wine. Unfortunately for this wine there is so many ok Sav Blanc's around for sub $15 that might muscle in on it's territory but seriously guys spend the extra $5 and get this and you will thank me!

Ok so I don't normally drink Sauvignon Blanc and I am seriously going to buy a 6 pack of this! Like I'm working it into my next fortnight's budget! What a great summer wine, It's starting to heat up and we'll (yes I'm including both you and I in this reference) be supporting a fantastic Australian winery. I know they are owned by a Belgian company but the fruit is grown in Tassie so we'll call it Australian. Go buy a bottle guys, you won't be disappointed. Happy quaffing!

De Bortoli Estate Grown Shiraz Viognier 2008

Hmm two in a week... god I think I'm feeling like an alcoholic again. I'm generally more interested in less commercial, you can get us everywhere brands now days but in the case of this little number I can make an exception. Aside from that De Bortoli being a great family owned brand amongst the commercial group is one I'm happy to support on their quest for greatness.

Crazy dark cherry red with legs to die for! Amazingly perfumed, pepper and spice, almost an Ashy fireplace like aroma laced with beautiful ripe red berries, tart cherry and coffee grinds. The palate is like silk, Fruit intensity is amazing, nice medium to bold weight for Yarra Valley, intriguingly complex, dark berries, mocha, beautifully spiced with an extended finish that reminds you of each element again. Really friendly, elegant gravelly tannin structure and a richness that I've been yet to find from Yarra Valley.

For the punter, crazily complex yet elegantly simple, super rich fruit driven cool climate Shiraz. Probably could do with some time to open up for most people and perhaps some food.

Mr Halliday rated this an honorable 96 points from this outstanding 5 star producer, Tyson Stelzer a 95, 94 Campbell Mattinson via Winefront, does it get much better really? I'm of a very similar opinion. If I sat and analysed this wine properly I'm sure there are faults........ well again define faults..... I'm sure there are things that that can detract scores and well nothing can be perfect..... no seriously 95 pts in my book that I'm yet to and probably never will publish would represent this wine well.

Value for money, $38 RRP from the producer and floating around the internet in the space of $30-$35 which if I'd payed that for it I'd be pretty happy. Granted there is cheaper booze out there from various producers that would rock my world more but again happy with the money I've outlaid on this one.

Definitely not a wine to be ignored, on a wine list at a steak or Italian restaurant?? Yeah go for it definitely worth the $$. I'll go another bottle that's for sure. Good luck and happy drinking.

Comments and reviews

I write my reviews and comments in hope that they will reach readers out there and give them some sort of value and guidance in making their Wine selections. I'm discovering that it is very hard to actually make my own correct selections when I wander to the bottle shop. Generally I buy wine I know I like, when I'm drinking a wine it tends to be one that I've already reviewed or blogged recently. As a result my posts have slowed down significantly.

What I need is some prompting, some suggestions on what you out there would like to know about, what bottles have you had that have stood out to you and you'd love to see shared with others? What bottles have you seen on your liquor store shelves and thought 'hey I wonder if that is any good'? What review have you read from a respectable wine critic and thought ' I wonder what this crazy nuances and cassis and forrest floor aromas and cigar box are all about, does this mean the wine tastes good or in the wine world is a good wine'? Are you a member of a winery and seen a post, liked it and would like me to give honest feedback on your wine? Questions, queries comments they are all valuable in the expansion of this blog.

Above all I'd love some feedback, did you like my review? Have you tried a bottle based on it and liked it or disliked it? Did you find a gap in my spelling, grammer or otherwise? Would you like me to further describe the wine in easy to understand terms or would you like to see more professional wine descriptors? Remember this isn't all about me in the end it's all about you out there reading it.

As always good luck and happy drinking.

Laurance of Margaret River 2010 Semillon Sauvignon Blanc

Semillon is definitely not my favourite by any stretch of the imagination but this wine really impressed me. Exceptionally pale and clear there is a grassy green tinge to this wine that you really have to look for. Wonderfully fresh and fragrant this has aromas of fresh cut grass, lemon zest and light hints of melon. Juicy fresh pear and lemony/grapefruit flavours are highlighted by high acidity and a slight minerality. This wine is well balanced with good length and is great crisp fresh summer drinking.

Simply put this is light, crisp easy drinking. High acidity and fresh citrus flavours most people will love this, especially if you like SSB in the first place.

This is another wine that featured on the Qwoff boy's TV review and got a great wrap, also well regarded by Ray Jordan and recently received a Gold Medal at the Sydney Royal show. I give this a 9 out of 10 and it borders on a 9.5. It's definitely one of the top 3 SSB's I tasted whilst in the region. 

Again this wine is at the upper end of the scale price wise retailing at $26 a bottle but you better believe it is worth every cent. The same as the Rosé its not widely available but if you can get your hands on it you'll be happy I'm sure.

I would buy and drink this wine any day of the week and will probably order some once I get through the rest of the wine I've had shipped over here. Personally I don't think the bottle is as attractive as the others but it may just be the colour of the roses on it. The only thing I think Laurance could do better is make their wine more easily purchasable for the every day consumer, I like the philosophy of not being in every bottle shop around the country and lowering the price point of the wine as a consequence but something as simple as an online store verses having to call up or fax in an order form would just make it easier and more likely that lazy people like me who loved the wine but live on the other side of the country buy volumes of their vino. Get a bottle of this one as its a cracka, good luck and happy drinking.

Laurance of Margaret River 2010 Rosé

Ok this next few are just from notes I took at the vineyard the other weekend, I had a spare hour so I thought I'd get a few more up here.


At first glance this Rosé looks like some sort of cocktail as it is a deep electric pink with a purplish tinge, it shimmers in the bottom of the glass and is crystal clear. The nose is lifted red fruit aromas, strawberries and raspberries with a hint of rose petal in the background. Rich sweet ripe cherry, rose petal and raspberry dominate the palate which is clean with a dry finish, raspberry lingers leaving your mouth watering for more.


For a dry Rosé this wine has some great fruit sweetness that will change the mind of most people who don't like dry Rosé. Great, infact better with food this is a great bottle for most occasions and will not disappoint.


Good wrap from Ray Jordan, Blue Gold at Sydney International Wine Show 2011 and a 9 out of 10 from me.


At $25 this is at the upper end of the Rosé price bracket but is totally worth it. According to the cellar door staff this wine is only available cellar door and David Jones, there are distributors around the country that have placed the wine in restaurants and the Melbourne distributor Put a Cork In It sells case loads to the public. (www.putacorkinit.com.au)


I love this Rosé and would buy it any day of the week. As with the Laurance Icon the packaging is outstanding and really makes a statement. I really hope you all enjoy this wine, I did! Happy drinking.

Torbreck Descendant 2004 Shiraz Viognier

Wow is my first impression of this beauty, as in wow what a big full bodied wine! Beautiful dark purple in your glass, so dark you'd swear its opaque but on further observation its really fine and clear. On the nose there definite purple berries and plum with hints of ink and slight floral notes. Massive legs on the glass highlight the 14.5% alcohol which I would say is much higher. Silky feel across your whole palate with soft subtle grainy tannins and juicy fruit this wine will blow you away. If you don't like big palate weight steer well clear of this wine.

To simplify if you answer yes to the following questions try this wine if there is a single no then simply don't waste your cash. Do you like massive wines? Are big fruit flavours high on your priority list? Would you try a wine if someone told you it had Ink in its description? Can you handle paying the same for a bottle of wine as for a good meal for two? Can you handle laying a wine down for 12-18 years before you touch it?
This is a big complex and fruity wine that anyone who likes Viognier blends will at least like but most will love. Highly recommend letting this wine stay down until at least 2015-2020 as it will simply only get better.

Halliday gave it a solid 96 and Campbell Mattinson 95 with the following comments;

"It’s made off relatively young vines but this release is the breakthrough vintage for this label – the mammoth, concentrated, overwhelming power of this wine says anything but immaturity. It’s a monster. But an exceptionally pure monster. Full of warm, floral, plummy, porty fruit with a nutty aftertaste and a carve of finely tailored tannins. It makes you sit straighter in your chair. It is over the top, but it is as fine as such a style can be."

 My rating on this wine is defiantly 9 out of 10 and would increase with age definitely, I am very impressed by David Powell's range and am more than happy to have a selection sitting in my cellar.

$125 is a normal price for this bottle and paying much more would be a waste of cash. You can acquire a bottle from good boutique wine cellars but if you want to get some fish around the auctions and you should pick them up a little cheaper but whatever you pay for it this wine is worth it. Saying that you could actually get half a case of something just as drinkable to drink now for the same price not to say that is the better option it really just depends on your priorities. I certainly wouldn't rush to drink another bottle of this right now, I would undoubtedly buy and lay it down to add some prestige to my personal cellar.

If you manage to get a bottle and lay it down or drink it please let me know what you think and as alway enjoy and happy drinking!

Ten Minutes By Tractor 2009 10X Pinot Noir

This wine has  a lovely deep cherry colouring that is quite dark but still quite clear. Great legs for its 13.8% alcohol, none the less very visually appealing. Quite pronounced you will get big red berry with cinnamon and a slightly dusty nose. On the palate it is quite light and fresh with fine acidity and a hit of lovely cherry fruit. Spicy oaky flavours balance this wine out giving it good length and making it a seriously drinkable wine.

In summary this wine is neither too fruity or too peppery, the fruitiness makes it attractive with out it being a fruit bomb and the sweet spice hits off the back of your tongue and disappears as you swallow and the sweet cherry flavours linger in your mouth. Any Pinot Noir lover should grab a bottle of this as it will drive you wild.

I can't seem to see any professional reviews on this wine but I don't think it needs one. I give it a very solid 8.5 out of 10 so much so that I left the cellar door with a bottle.

As with other bottles from this winery it comes with a price tag at $36 a bottle from the cellar door but is absolutely worth it. There are much worse Pinot Noir's out there with much heftier price tags. You can pick it up from Wine House in South Melbourne for $34.95 a bottle and I'm sure many little boutique bottle shops around the Peninsular and Melbourne that carry Peninsular wines. Don't pay more than $38 as you can get a better deal.

One of the better Pinot Noir's I've tasted and value for money is second to none but for those of you who don't wanna spend that much there are others around that fit a more approachable price bracket. Highly recommend this wine so please do enjoy.

Ten Minutes By Tractor 2009 10X Pinot Gris

This wine has a lovely clear bright golden appearance with reasonable legs displaying the 13.5% alcohol that this wine is labeled as. It has pear and slight floral notes on the nose with a hint of sweetness like honey suckle which makes it very attractive. It is quite light on the palate, light acidity and slightly viscous it is very pleasant in your mouth. Juicy with minerality with a slightly nutty finish that will leave you wanting more this wine should be enjoyed now!

To summarise this is a fantastically drinkable wine for those who enjoy Pinot Gris or those who just like an easy drinking wine that is crisp and not too fruity. Highly recommend on a summers afternoon with a light cheese platter.

James Halliday rated this 90 points and noted the wine to be

"a complex and savoury combination of pear, spice and lightly toasted almonds; generous and fleshy on the palate, with a savoury nutty conclusion from the oak maturation."

 I would definitely agree with the above and give this wine a solid 8.5/10, it may have got a 9 if I'd been tasting it with food.

Unfortunately the only downfall the this wine is that it comes in at a pretty penny of $28 a bottle from the cellar door. Although it is worth every cent there is other Pinot Gris' out there that come close for quite a bit cheaper. The only other place I personally have seen this available is Wine House in Melbourne who are normally very reasonably priced, they have it for $29.95 for a single bottle which indicates that you may not find it cheaper.

I'd recommend you drop by the cellar door for a taste. You will not be disappointed and make your decision there if you'd like to purchase. If its on the menu at a restaurant please pay the extra and grab it as a treat.