Peter's Picks
2008 Jacob's Creek Tempranillo
South Eastern Australia A$12
Tempranillo is the dominant red variety of Spain. It's a relatively new arrival to our grape-growing shores but already settling in comfortably. Indeed, the very fact that a tempranillo is being offered under the Jacob's Creek umbrella is a sure sign the variety is no fringe-dweller. A quick sniff confirms that proposition with lots of juicy dark-berry fruits, a whiff of sweet spice and fresh aniseed. The palate is only medium-weight yet generously flavoured with a seductive textural richness and mild tannin grip on the finish.
2009 Printhie Mountain Range Chardonnay
Orange A$17
When talented winemaker Drew Tuckwell arrived at Printhie in 2008 vintage, the effect on style and quality was immediate - clearly confirmed by the radiant 2009 Mount Canobolas Collection Chardonnay. The same leap in quality flowed through to the Mountain Range Chardonnay. It's fresh and bright with ripe grapefruit and Pink Lady apple aromas, enhanced by a hint of lemon pith and grilled almond complexity. The palate remains tightly coiled with a zing of acidity carrying the finish to a mouth-watering conclusion.
2008 Scorpo Noirien Pinot Noir
Mornington Peninsula A$30
Scorpo is a minuscule vineyard situated in the lee of Red Hill - the geographical pinnacle of the Mornington Peninsula. Paul Scorpo sets the style and Sandro Mosele makes the wine - with astonishing results. Noirien is a common synonym for pinot noir in eastern France, used here as a by-line for Scorpo's drink-me-now style. Bright cherry aromatics with a whiff of truffle-like complexity pave the way to a richly satisfying palate. For all its opulence it's neither ponderous nor heavy - sure to convert sceptics to the pinot-phile fold.
2008 Fred Loimer Lois Grüner Veltliner
Kamptal (Austria) A$25
Fred Loimer is one of Austria's new-age winemakers, working with 25 grape-growers from the Kamptal region. Half of his production is "green and groovy" grüner veltliner - as Austria's indigenous white variety has been tagged. Aromas of green apple, freshly squeezed lime, lemon blossom and cool slate lead to a spritely palate with hints of white pepper and honeydew melon. Although it's texturally rich, the finish is clean, dry and absolutely refreshing. 2008 is Loimer's 10th vintage under the Lois label.
2005 Vietti Barolo Castiglione DOCG
Piedmont (Italy) A$140
Patriarch Mario Vietti first made wine in 1919. Since then the focus has been on premium quality - as the '05 Castiglione triumphantly attests. Made from top-quality nebbiolo drawn from sites in Castiglione Falletto, Monforte, Barolo and Novello, this is a textbook Barolo. It's already showing a bouquet of fading rose petals, cold tar and aniseed that interplay with rich raspberry and brambleberry fruits. Prominent tannins enliven the palate rather than weigh it down, ensuring longevity of a decade or two.
2008 Luke Lambert Nebbiolo Reserve
Heathcote A$40
Luke Lambert is young yet experienced winemaker with stints at Diamond Valley, Coldstream Hills and Maddens Lane. In his spare time he makes a refined Yarra Valley shiraz and this nebbiolo from Heathcote - both released as a top-of-the-range reserve selection. The 2008 Reserve Nebbiolo certainly lives up to its status with its spicy licorice and Damson plum aroma lifted by a rosewater perfume. The palate is quite delicate until the tannins kick in, carrying the wine to a long and satisfying finish.
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