There’s something missing from Canberra’s National Wine Show of Australia. It’s touted as the grand final of Australia’s wine show season. But if you look to it as a guide to the best of the best, then you’ll be disappointed. There are gaping holes across most varieties, but particularly in the ranks of sauvignon blanc, … Continue reading National Wine Show of Australia must fill gaps
Peter Lehmann Barossa Riesling 2008 $11–14, Eden Valley Riesling $17–20 The cheaper Lehmann wines sometimes make the retail scrum, so watch for fighting prices on these, and the wines below, then leap in for terrific drinking. The Barossa riesling is beautifully floral with a zingy fresh, juicy, fruity, off-dry palate – the sort of fruitiness … Continue reading Wine review — Peter Lehmann
De Bortoli Windy Peak whites $12–15 Pinot Grigio 2008 and Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2008 Yarra-based winemaker Steve Webber, new chair of the Melbourne wine show, seems to be on a mission with the Windy Peak range. It’s a trickle-down effect from the new depth we’ve seen recently in De Bortoli’s more expensive Yarra Valley range. … Continue reading Wine review — De Bortoli Windy Peak & Thomas
Madfish range: Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2008 $15–18; Moscato 2008 $17–22; Pinot Noir 2007 $16–19; Carnelian 2006 $19–24 Madfish, the second label of Jeff Birch’s Howard Park Wines, has been one of the great successes of the last decade. It works for Jeff. But more importantly it delivers tonnes of flavour and value for drinkers – … Continue reading Wine review — Madfish, Rusty Fig and Ten Minutes by Tractor
This year’s regional wine show tells us more strongly than ever that Canberra’s reputation and future rests heavily on the two varieties that shine here — riesling and shiraz. Other styles play a niche role – or perhaps, in some cases, none at all in the long run – with the important caveat that we … Continue reading Canberra regional wine show 2008 — a judge’s perspective
In January, with a small vintage predicted, the wine glut appeared to be over. Grape growers along the Murray and Murrumbidgee feared the worst. Winemakers expected supply to fall in line with demand – good news for them. As a consequence, it seemed as if wine drinkers might have to pay a little extra for … Continue reading Pressure on wine prices ahead of major industry change
Lake George Vineyard Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2008 $21.99 This is the first of the 2008 releases from Lake George vineyard. Made by Alex McKay, it’s a blend of semillon from old vines on the original vineyard and sauvignon blanc from the Hillbrook vineyard, on the escarpment, and Hall. Alex says they’re all mature vines, ten … Continue reading Wine review — Lake George & Grove Estate
Rochford Macedon Ranges Chardonnay 2006 $27, Pinot Noir 2005 $33, Pinot Noir 2006 $33 Rochford is one of the better signposted vineyards in the cool Macedon region. That’s a pity, because its cellar door is in the Yarra Valley. The wines show the region’s general suitability for chardonnay and pinot noir. The chardonnay is taut, … Continue reading Wine review — Rochford, Shaw Vineyard Estate & Heredos de Argueso
Mistletoe Hunter Valley – Reserve Semillon 2007 $22, Chardonnay 2007 $20, Reserve Chardonnay 2007 $25 When I asked Mistletoe proprietor Ken Sloan for a bottle picture, he said that since he sold wine only direct (cellar door and www.mistletoewines.com) Canberra Times readers mentioning this review could have free delivery to Canberra of 6-packs or dozens. … Continue reading Wine review — Mistletoe & Blackjack
Mistletoe Hunter Valley Home Vineyard Semillon 2008 $18 & Broke Verdelho 2008 $18; Tulloch Hunter Semillon WA Sauvignon Blanc 2008 $16 These are the first three 2008 whites to hit the tasting bench. Mistletoe’s semillon, at 9.5 per cent alcohol, has the tangy, face-twisting, eye-watering impact of fresh grapefruit – an oddity at present but … Continue reading Wine review — Mistletoe, Bowen Estate & Bidgebong