Freeman Hilltops Fortuna 2009 $22–$25 Fortuna is a very smart, unusual and lovely blend sourced from five varieties grown on Dr Brian Freeman’s old vines in the Hilltops region. Freeman writes, “It is inspired by the aromatic white wines of two regions of northern Italy – Friuli and Alto Adige, a textural wine crafted from … Continue reading Wine review — Freeman, Henschke and Morambro Creek
Hungerford Hill Tumbarumba Pinot Noir 2009 $27–$30 Chardonnay 2009 $27–$30 Southcorp Wines merged with Rosemount Estate in 2001 and in 2002 sold its Hungerford Hill Brand to the Kirby Family. Michael Hatcher now makes the wines, including these two from Tumbarumba, in the company’s winery at Pokolbin, Hunter Valley. The chardonnay’s intense, cool-climate nectarine-like varietal … Continue reading Wine review — Hungerford Hill, Amungula Creek and Houghton
One of Canberra’s oldest vineyards is about to make a comeback under the Little Bridge Wines banner. In December last year Stephen Dowton, one of the Little Bridge partners, bought Brooks Creek Vineyard, at Bywong, from George Brownbill. The 2.8-hectare vineyard includes a block of mourvedre, and possibly other survivors of the original 4-hectare vineyard … Continue reading Little Bridge partner buys Canberra’s historic Brooks Creek Vineyard
Collector Canberra District Reserve Shiraz 2008 $46 Alex McKay’s Collector Reserve 2008 won four trophies at the recent Sydney Royal Wine Show, topping Aussie greats like Vasse Felix Cabernet and Best’s Bin O Shiraz. Alex sourced the shiraz from the Kyeema Murrumbatemen Vineyard – and added a few buckets of the white variety, viognier, from … Continue reading Wine review — Collector, Chandon, Freeman and Morambro Creek
Best’s Great Western Riesling 2009 $22, Bin 1 Shiraz 2008 $25, Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 $25 Best’s, founded by Henry Best in 1866, was acquired by Frederick Thomson in 1913 and is today run by Ben Thomson, the family’s fifth generation in the business. It’s a must visit for its wonderful old vineyards, dating to 1868, … Continue reading Wine review — Best’s Great Western, Jeir Creek and Clonakilla
Jacob’s Creek Reeves Point Chardonnay 2005 $26–$32 Jacob’s Creek St Hugo Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 $32–$40 Reeves Point is a terrific example of modern Australian chardonnay – bright, fresh, beautifully varietal (with Padthaway’s unique melon-like flavours), full bodied (but not heavy), finely textured and with layers of complexity derived from oak fermentation and maturation. Four … Continue reading Wine review — Jacob’s Creek, Coldstream Hills, Bream Creek, Capercaillie and Wandin Valley
Jacob’s Creek $7–$11.40 Sauvignon Blanc 2008 Pinot Grigio 2008, Pinot Noir 2008 Tempranillo 200 Sauvignon blanc is to wine what lager is to beer – light, crisp, refreshing and best enjoyed ice cold. The Jacob’s version captures the variety’s herbal flavours and zesty, dry palate very well at the price. Pinot grigio is even more … Continue reading Wine review — Jacob’s Creek, Stanton and Killeen, Wimbirra
Joseph Perrier Cuvée Royale NV Brut Champagne $45.90–50 Saumur Brut NV (Gratien & Meyer) $18–20 Here’s a couple of lovely French bubblies imported by Woolworths (Dan Murphy) and Coles (1st Choice and Vintage Cellars) respectively. Joseph Perrier is the real thing and its flavour strongly reflects the company’s holdings of pinot meunier near its Marne … Continue reading Wine review — Joseph Perrier, Gratien & Meyer, Eileen Hardy, Waterhwheel, Wyndham Estate and Jacob’s Creek
Williams Crossing Macedon Pinot Noir 2006 $22–$25 Curly Flat Macedon Pinot Noir 2005 $46–$52 After several tastings, most recently as a judge at the Macedon Wine Show, I rate these amongst the best pinot noirs in Australia. They were in a field of 28 pinots, all from Macedon. Twenty of them won medals, with the … Continue reading Wine review — Williams Crossing, Curly Flat, Hanging Rock, Mount William & Jacob’s Creek Steingarten
Helm Canberra District Classic Dry Riesling 2008 $28 Helm Canberra District Premium Riesling 2008 $45 Jeir Creek Canberra District Riesling 2008 $22 At this year’s regional show we finally saw Canberra riesling hitting the quality level that’s been talked about but not often achieved. From 22 wines we awarded three gold, two silver and seven … Continue reading Wine review — Helm, Jeir Creek, Chalkers Crossing, Nick O’Leary & Hungerford Hill