Cupitt’s brewery and winery Breweries. They’re popping up everywhere. And what a bonus it was to find Cupitt beers out on the western edge of Ulladulla. We’d called in for lunch and a glass or two of Rosie Cupitt’s semillon –which she grows next to the restaurant and makes in the cellar underneath (with help … Continue reading Ulladulla’s little brewery
Tapanappa Foggy Hill Pinot Noir 2014 Foggy Hill vineyard, Fleurie Peninsula, South Australia $55 After losing control of Petaluma Wines to Lion Nathan (now Lion Co) early this century, founder Brian Croser established Tapanappa Wines, based on existing vineyards in the Piccadilly Valley (Adelaide Hills) and Wrattonbully, near Coonawarra. In 2003, Croser planted a pinot … Continue reading Wine reviews – Tapanappa, Sassafras, Ravensworth, Cupitt, Pikes and Bremerton
McWilliams Mount Pleasant Cellar Aged Hunter Semillon 2007 $17–$20 One of the best wines encountered over the festive season cost a mere $17, despite coming up for its ninth birthday, and having been perfectly cellared before release. Mt Pleasant Elizabeth held its own against many considerably more expensive whites. And every mouthful thrilled, almost distracting … Continue reading Wine reviews – McWilliams Mount Pleasant, Long Rail Gully, Capital Wines
Australia’s more than 2,400 vignerons make a greater diversity and higher quality wine than ever before in a wine history dating from the first fleet. My top-15 therefore represents a wide range of Australian styles from seven distinct regions in four states, plus five multi-region blends, including one bubbly. Completing the lineup are two imports … Continue reading Top 15 wines under $15
Jacob’s Creek Classic Riesling 2015 $7.85–$12 Humble Jacob’s Creek often upstages more expensive wines in Australian wine shows. In the recent National Wine Show of Australia, for example, this riesling’s cellar-mate, Classic Pinot Gris, topped the pinot gris class and won the trophy as the best “Dry white, other variety” in the show. Jacob’s Classic … Continue reading Wine review – Jacob’s Creek, Andrew Thomas, Charles Cimicky
Gallagher Duet Pinot Noir Chardonnay Brut $25 Greg Gallagher’s mastery of the bubble shows in this lovely aperitif style. He sources chardonnay from his own Murrumbateman vineyard and pinot from the Pankhurst vineyard, Hall. But it takes more than fruit alone to make a top sparkler. Gallagher blended wine from the 2013 vintage with smaller … Continue reading Wine review – Gallagher, Nick O’Leary, and Pitchfork
Hurley Vineyard Hommage and Garamond Pinot Noirs 2013 Hommage and Garamond vineyards, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria $70 and $85 This review covers two Hurley Vineyard 2013 pinots – one from the Hommage block ($70), the other from Garamond block ($85). They were tasted masked, then, after unveiling, consumed over the next hour or so. Hommage shows … Continue reading Wine review – Hurley Vineyard, Chapel Hill, Yering Station, Richmond Grove, Domaine Christian Salmon, and Colvin Wines
Bay of Fires Tasmania Chardonnay 2014 $33.25–$42 Bay of Fires is an offshoot of Hardy’s Tasmanian quest for high quality grapes suited to sparkling wine production. The quest soon extended to table wine, culminating in the establishment of the Bay of Fires brand, produced at Pipers River, Northern Tasmania. The 2014 combines handpicked fruit from … Continue reading Wine review – Bay of Fires, Stella Bella, and Grant Burge
Greywacke Pinot Noir 2013 Yarrum and other vineyards, southern valleys, Marlborough, New Zealand $40–$45 Marlborough makes its red specialty, pinot noir, mostly in the light and fruity, drink-now style. However, the area’s cool, sunny climate suits the variety and the best equal those of more glamorous New Zealand pinot regions like Central Otago and Martinborough. … Continue reading Wine review – Greywacke, Soumah, Jacob’s Creek, d’Arenberg, Huntington Estate, and Tulloch
Balnaves “The Tally” Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 Balnaves family vineyards, Coonawarra, South Australia $90 The dense colour and vivid purple meniscus suggest a five-year old of great staying power. The aroma and palate confirm the wine’s youth and could accurately be described as essence of cabernet. Ripe cassis-like varietal flavour saturates a powerful palate, deeply … Continue reading Wine review – Balnaves, Lerida Estate, Battle of Bosworth, Mount Horrocks, Traviarti, and d’Arenberg