Winestate Magazine Special Edition 2015

wine & spir it insider tasting Geoff Merrill Brygon Reserve Wickham Park Hummingbird McLaren Vale Series Margaret Chardonnay River Chardonnay 2013 HHHH 2013 HHH1/2 A stylish wine, excellent A tight style with green hues, ripe melon/ complex fleshy fruit and cashew nose and big, well-handled, balancing rich, flavoursome palate, oak that's all wrapped in soft in the mouth with the zippy crisp acidity. great texture. $22 $19.99 Brygon Reserve Third Wheel Western Australia Chardonnay 2013 HHH1/2 A lovely rich balance of citrus and melon fruit and creamy oak with a tight finish. All it needs is more time. $24.99 Thomas K Hardy Family Tradition Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2009 HHH1/2 Very light Chablis-style that's clean and elegant with upfront varietal fruit, tight oak and honeyed bottle age. $22 Yilgarnia Unoaked Brygon Reserve Chardonnay Flying High 2015 HHH Margaret River Citrussy nose with Chardonnay floral complexity and 2013 HHHH fresh creamy stonefruit Peachy nose, a touch palate with interesting smoky with tight oak nuances. $19 and some citrus. Lovely rich yet elegant varietal Strategy South palate with creamy Eastern Australia length and great acid. Chardonnay $19.99 2014 HHH Ripe fruit salad nose Tyrrell's Wines and a passionfruit palate Vat 47 Hunter with citric elegance. Valley Chardonnay $12.99 2011 HHHH A very reserved and The Outlaws South elegant toasty nose Eastern Australia with a tight somewhat Chardonnay stylistic fruit/oak palate. 2014 HHH Has lovely freshness for Excellent rich fruit and a four-year old. $70 toasty nutty oak aroma complexity with a big toasty palate. $12.99 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 151

NEW RELEASES NEW RELEASES Brygon Reserve Tempus Two Small Batch Oak Copper Series Aged Margaret Victoria Tempranillo River Chardonnay 2013 HHH1/2 2010 HHH Light and spicy nose Light Chablis-style. with malty cherry Melon/peach fruit, very aromas and good fruity tight oak and toasty palate with well judged age. Drinking well acidity. \"Excellent lunch now. $60 wine.\" $25 ROSÉ Nepenthe Altitude Adelaide Hills 11 TASTED Tempranillo 3 AWARDED 2014 HHH Bright red wine with cherry/berry fruit, malty Good wines were few oak and gamey mid- and far between here. weight tannins. $20 \"Sugar can't cover all evils,\" said one judge. The Blackwood El Toro Rojo \"The trend is to dryer Blackwood Valley Barwick Estates and more elegant rosés; Red Knot by VALUE Sabella Vineyards Tempranillo BEST Black Label which these are not!\" Shingleback BUYS J Petrucci & Son 2014 HHH Margaret River Pink McLaren Vale McLaren Vale Nero Elegant and stylish Chardonnay De Beaurepaire Rosé 2015 HHH D'Avola 2014 HHHH with lovely rich ripe 2014 HHH Rylestone Cabernet Lifted fresh estery A deep, dark and cherry/licorice fruit, Lovely depth of creamy Rosé 2015 HHH raspberry nose and mysterious wine with perky acidity and grippy fruit and vanilla oak Soft sweet rose petal soft, well balanced, intense brooding spicy tannins. $40 characters on both nose bouquet with a very vibrant palate with some fruit characters. Lovely and palate. $32 sweet strawberries and savouriness. $17.99 savoury length and fine MERLOT cream palate. Crowd tannin spine. $28.99 Brygon Reserve BEST pleaser. $25 OTHER RED 6 TASTED Hummingbird VALUE GMH by Geoff Hardy 1 AWARDED BUYS Series Margaret VARIETALS & Family Selection River Chardonnay South Australia Red A shocker! Only one 2011 HHH BLENDS Blend 2014 HHH Buttery bottle age 11 TASTED Big rich chocolaty nose merlot made it through! bouquet but still very 4 AWARDED and ripe, lively and There were too many fresh with a toasty flavoursome palate with a quite faulty wines creamy palate and long drying finish. $15 presented which is lingering flavours. A handful of stand-outs $19.99 offering true varietal Atze's Corner simply not good enough. The Giant Single Misty Glen Hunter fruit, lots of flavour and Vineyard Barossa Claire Creek South Valley Chardonnay balanced acidity. \"Here is Valley Durif Eastern Australia 2011 HHH where the warm climate 2014 HHH Merlot 2014 HHH Ripe Aussie style; all regions can shine,\" Big, brash and bold with A simple style that fruity with developed lively mouthfilling flavours. has freshness, honeyed aromas and noted one judge. Years to go yet. \"Needs elegance and surprising simple toasty creamy brontosaurus steaks,\" said length of earthy plum palate. $28 Atze's Corner one judge. $28 fruit. $5.99 The Mob Single Brygon Reserve Vineyard TEMPRANILLO CABERNET Private Bin Block Barossa Valley 3 Margaret River Montepulciano 6 TASTED BLENDS Chardonnay 2014 HHHH1/2 3 AWARDED 7 TASTED 2010 HHH The Blackwood A gorgeous complexity 5 AWARDED Lots of toasty, honeyed Rushy Creek of rich Christmas Mixed lot with the characters here Blackwood Valley cake-like aromas and mingling with bottle age Rosé 2015 HHH excellent depth of ripe best showing both Solid class of medium complexity. $50 Pale pink wine with fleshy fruit flavours with elegance and flavour. bodied dry reds offering delicate aromas and well-constructed tannin These young wines flavours offering and oak backbone. good drinking. pleasurable Summer \"Lovely!\" $28 offer alternative lunch quaffing. $15 options. 152 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

wine & spir it insider tasting Thompson Estate Barwick Estates Artiste Eden Valley Margaret River Optimus The Cabernet Sauvignon Vineyard Margaret Terraces Blackwood 2014 HHH River Cabernet Valley Cabernet Soft and voluptuous with Merlot 2012 HHH Sauvignon great varietal expression Rich fruit cake of a nose 2014 HHHH1/2 and well-handled oak. and supple red fruit Quite an oaky wine but Nice work! $22.95 palate with some nice has plenty of rich plum- oak to balance. $35 like fruit to match and a Rockbare solid tannin backbone. Coonawarra CABERNET It has dark brooding Cabernet Sauvignon aromas and a meaty core 2014 HHH SAUVIGNON & to the tight palate. $65 A tight, bright cool BLENDS Forester Estate climate cabernet with a richness of blackcurrant 26 TASTED Margaret River fruit and nutty oak. $25 18 AWARDED Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 HHHH Very cool climate with A solid, consistently powerful core of dark awarded class, showing mulberry fruit, 'sensible' strength of the 2012, oak levels and a firm tannin backbone. A well Australia 2013 and 2014 vintages. The Blackwood made wine. $37.99 Felix Premium \"Very few winemakers Captain James Barrel Reserve over oak their wines Blackwood Valley Wrattonbully nowadays and there Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Shiraz 2014 HHHHH 2013 HHHH is less fruit extraction, The complete package. A well-structured which is allowing the Great colour intensity, wine, great colour fruit to shine and come lovely rich choc/mint with excellent rich red bouquet and long, elegant berry fruit, good spicy to the fore,\" said one and varietally expressive characters, nice tight oak judge. palate with intense ripe and gamey tannins. $28 flavours without being over-the-top. $45 Forester Estate Margaret River Cabernet Merlot 2013 HHH1/2 Aromas of cherries Harmulist and rhubarb with a Coonawarra hint of smoky oak and Cabernet Sauvignon an excellent, tight and 2014 HHH elegant blue fruit palate Pretty varietal aromas layered with sweet and soft fleshy palate oak. $23.99 with some tannic grip and high acidity. $16 Artiste Eden Valley St Johns Brook Cabernet Merlot Reserve Margaret St Johns Brook 2014 HHH River Cabernet Single Vineyard Fresh mulberry Sauvignon Margaret River aromas and long rich 2014 HHH1/2 Cabernet Sauvignon blackcurrant palate with Excellent purple/red wine 2014 HHH angular acidity and good with a good solid core of Fine dusty chocolate tannins. $22.95 dark berry fruit balanced aromas with well with the sweet oak, defined varietal flavours St Johns Brook tannins and acid. $45 and lovely tannins. $25 Single Vineyard Andrew Peace Margaret River Winemakers Choice Barwick Estates Brygon Reserve BEST VALUE Cabernet Merlot Langhorne Creek Shingleback Davey White Label Lions Lair BUYS 2014 HHH Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Reserve Margaret River Reserve Collection Nose of blackberries, 2014 HHHHH McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon Western Australia dusty oak and violets Varietal, rich and long Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 HHH Cabernet Sauvignon with a simple red fruit with excellent depth of 2013 HHHHH Lovely cassis core here 2013 HHH palate and powdery purple hues and bright Amazingly fresh inky black with a background of Fine chocolaty nose and tannins. $25 lifted dark fruit aromas. wine that offers a huge oak and some fine toasty oak-driven palate Very pleasant palate with mouthful of flavour from tannins. $18 with a solid dark fruit deep core of blackberry the excellent intense dark core. $15.99 fruit and powdery brooding varietal fruit tannins. Years ahead of that has plenty of oak to it! $18 match. Needs lots more time. $23.50 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 153

NEW RELEASES NEW RELEASES CENTRAL OTAGO VINEYARD & LIFESTYLE – PRIVATE RETREAT – VENDOR HAS NEW PLANS Sabella Vineyards SHIRAZ & One Road South The Blackwood McLaren Vale Australia Shiraz Sir Henry Cabernet Sauvignon BLENDS 2014 HHH Blackwood Valley 2013 HHH 2015-2014 A fresh easy drinking Shiraz 2014 HHH Very ripe, tannic and \"oaky quaffer with choc/ Very oaky but has plenty as hell\" with blackberry 18 TASTED mint and dark cherry of fruit to match and fruit and slight porty 12 AWARDED aromas and cherry berry lovely tannin balance character. $19.99 flavours. $6.99 with firm acidity. $50 Gotham Wines Some hits and misses Tudor Central SHIRAZ & Langhorne Creek here from these young Victoria Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon wines. \"These have 2014 HHH BLENDS 2013 & 2013 HHH generally been built for Powerful style, a bit Round and creamy hot and tannic but has OLDER with nice depth of dark early drinking so enjoy nice varietal fruit, 19 TASTED raspberry-like fruit and them now, but don’t cedary oak and 15 AWARDED firm tannins. $20 expect them to age,\" complexity. $12.99 Rockbare advised one judge. Great class; \"As one Coonawarra would both hope and Cutie Coonawarra Fox Creek Red expect,\" said one Cabernet Sauvignon Baron McLaren Vale 2013 HHH Shiraz 2014 HHHH judge. \"The majority of A big wine with ripe Pleasant blackcurrant wines were extremely Curtis Family aromas and simple, aromas with a spicy oak well made across Vineyards Cavaliere nicely textured, fruit lift and big ripe palate McLaren Vale Shiraz palate with solid tannin with loads of powerful the diversity of warm 2013 HHHH1/2 core. $45 fruit and oak flavours. and cool regions. No A wine with elegance Good acid support. wonder it is the number and seamless balance. Thompson Estate $17.50 It has a lovely purple red Margaret River one selling variety in colour with spicy ripe Vineyard Margaret Bellevue Estate Australia.\" raspberry and blueberry River Cabernet McLaren Vale Shiraz fruit, sweet oak and good Sauvignon 2014 HHHH tannin presence. $70 2012 HHH A big, rich and very oaky A good solid cabernet wine; a classic Aussie developing well with style - with 'Cherry Ripe'- nice varietal fruit like fruit characters. Has intensity. $50 good cellaring potential. $20 Thomas K Hardy Family Tradition Gotham Wines Barwick Estates McLaren Vale Langhorne Creek White Label Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2014 HHHH Margaret River 2010 HHH Rich, lifted blackcurrant Shiraz 2014 HHH A lovely soft, middle and mulberry nose and Leafy red currant aromas aged cabernet, elegantly a firm palate that has with hints of licorice and structured with sensible some nice softness to a fresh cherry palate. oak and tannins. $25 it and plenty of flavour Nice quaffer. $18 length. $20 Geoff Merrill Atze's Corner VALUE BEST G&W McLaren Atze's Corner Barossa Valley BUYS Vale Coonawarra The Bachelor Shiraz 2014 HHH Cabernet Sauvignon Barossa Valley Earthy blueberry nose 2010 HHH Shiraz 2014 HHHH with light herbal notes A nicely structured A soft wine with bright and simple jammy rich varietal with Christmas blackberry, cherry and palate. $20 Fox Creek Short cake-like fruit and mocha stewed plum varietal Row McLaren Vale oak. $30 fruit characters, just a Wicks Estate Shiraz 2013 HHHHH Reillys RCV hint of oak and black Adelaide Hills Shiraz A lovely deep colour Pressings Clare olive-like nuances. $28 2014 HHH and beautiful spicy ripe Valley Shiraz 2012 Slight mintiness to the fruit nose. The fabulous HHHH1/2 Barwick Estates mulberry nose with palate that is complex A huge, ripe, old Optimus The earthy notes and well- and seamlessly balanced fashioned style with big Terraces Blackwood balanced varietal palate. and showing lovely oak, big tannins and big Valley Shiraz $20 intense fruit flavours. fruit. \"Nothing subtle 2014 HHHH Great poise! $32 about this wine,\" said An attractive lifted, Artiste Eden Valley one judge. \"If you like earthy and oaky bouquet Shiraz 2014 HHH large this is the wine for that leads to a palate full A slightly developed you!\" $45 of nice spicy sweet fruit lighter style with forest flavours and nice nutty floor fruit, some leathery oak. $75 notes and supple tannins. $22.95 154 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

CENTRAL OTAGO VINEYARD & LIFESTYLE – PRIVATE RETREAT – VENDOR HAS NEW PLANS

NEW RELEASES NEW RELEASES Rockbare Barossa Brygon Reserve Tyrrell's Wines Babe Barossa Shiraz Lions Lair Reserve Hunter Valley Shiraz 2013 HHHH1/2 Collection Western 2013 HHH Masses of charry oak Australia Shiraz Earthy fruit aromas with on the nose but has the 2012 HHHH just a hint of oak and intensity of dark fruit A classic Aussie style - a high acid, oak-driven characters to balance it. very soft and generous palate. $23 A very classy palate with with excellent red lovely length and depth berry varietal fruit and Australian Felix of fleshy flavours. $45 caramelised oak. A good Shiraz Sagrantino wine. $15.99 Swan Hill Shiraz Forester Estate Blend 2013 HHH Margaret River Black Stump A well-made, medium Shiraz 2013 HHHH Wine No. 9 bodied wine with light A lovely cool climate Long Barrel Aged estery varietal fruit style of shiraz. Great Red Pemberton characters. $25 freshness, fleshy earthy Barossa Shiraz primary fruit, sensible oak Blend 2009 HHHH Nepenthe Gate and tannins that don't A classic soft Block Adelaide Hills finish too dry. $23.99 flavoursome Claret- Shiraz 2013 HHH style of blend - fleshy, A clean well-structured chocolaty and Ribena- wine with simple spicy like. Has aged well and raspberry-like fruit is ready for drinking characters. $32 Handcrafted by now. $44 Geoff Hardy Muscat Thomas K Hardy NV HHHHH Thomas K Hardy Family Tradition A stunning wine that has Imprimatur McLaren Vale Shiraz great length of beautiful smart business travel. McLaren Vale 2010 HHH rich ripe and rounded Shiraz 2008 HHHH An elegantly structured spicy raisined aromas A soft, mellow aged and flavoursome red and flavours and yet it wine with great intensity that's developed exhibits lovely freshness made easy. of varietal fruit aromas well and is ready for and has a certain and flavours. Still holding drinking. $25 elegance. $35 up well but won’t last forever. Drink soon. $85 Carmine's Grand SWEET WHITE BEST Sabella VALUE & FORTIFIED Reserve South • Dedicated Business Travel Consultant. Eastern Australia Vineyards BUYS 2 TASTED Muscat NV HHHHH McLaren Vale \"So old, so beautiful,\" said Shiraz 2013 HHH1/2 2 AWARDED one judge. \"Incredibly Massively oaky style intense and long - and of shiraz with intense This category proves lasts and lasts and lasts.\" • 24/7 Assistance. Sarsaparilla-like fruit but Caramel/molasses Gumpara Wines it is supple and highly you can't go wrong with aromas and a luscious Mader Reserve drinkable. $19.99 a good muscat. World- raisined palate. $85 Barossa Valley class! • Competitive corporate & discount airfares. Shiraz 2013 HHHH Finniss River South \"A sensible wine.\" Australia Shiraz Great colour, rich 2013 HHH spicy Christmas A firm grippy style • Competitive Hotel Programs. cake aromas and an with a lovely dark core intensely flavoured, well- of red and black fruit structured palate. Fresh characters. $22 and vibrant. $50 STAR RATINGS HHHHH • And much more. Three-, four- and five-star ratings are signs of excellence in fruit quality and winemaking skill. All wines are judged ‘blind’ by wine industry professionals and are compared in peer classes by three judges. CM Wine is exclusive to Cellarmasters, a major mail-order business. CD Cellar door price. CDO Cellar door only. 1800 220 029 | pht.com.au SO Sold out. $N/A Price not available at time of printing.  Contact information pg 168. RECOMMENDED cellaring (years). BEST VALUE for $20 & under. For a complete list of what we tasted please refer to www.winestate.com.au 156 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

smart business travel. made easy. • Dedicated Business Travel Consultant. • 24/7 Assistance. • Competitive corporate & discount airfares. • Competitive Hotel Programs. • And much more. 1800 220 029 | pht.com.au

158 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

Totino Estate Adelaide Paracombe Adelaide Hills Pask Kate Radburnd Peter Yealands Hills Pinot Grigio 2015 Pinot Gris 2015 Sun Kissed Hawkes Bay Marlborough Pinot Pinot Gris 2014 Gris 2015 Very varietal and very slurpable Floral/pear aromas with with its delicate fragrant hints of honeysuckle and a Quite a subdued nose Tight and lean with subtle tropical fruit and balancing stonefruit palate that is rich and but there are some subtle hints of pears on the nose and acidity. $19.95 generous. $20 stonefruit nuances. Nice a fresh crisp palate. $13.99 creaminess to a varietal palate Totino Nominees Paracombe Premium Wines that reflects the excellent Yealands Estate Wines Ltd P: +61 8 8349 1200 P: +61 8 8380 5058 quality of fruit used here. $18 P: +64 3 575 7618 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] www.festivalcitywines.com.au www.paracombewines.com Pask Winery www.yealands.co.nz P: +61 3 93808699 E: [email protected] www.pask.co.nz BEST VALUE WINES OF AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND TO QUALIFY Is updated in each issue of The Wine & Spirit Insider. Some wines may - if they are still available - remain 1 Wines must have first been recommended $20& UNDER will sell out, or be replaced by higher-rated wines. in Winestate Magazine style or new release in the next issue’s Best Value Wines listing. Others tastings. Style tastings are defined as varietal The Wine & Spirit Insider’s Best Value Wines listing tastings - eg, shiraz, chardonnay, etc. - or comprises the best wines currently available, from big- blended styles such as shiraz/cabernet wines. name brands and the higher volume ‘second labels’ 2 Wines from designated regional tastings from the smaller producers, as tasted by Winestate are eligible provided they are widely available. Magazine panels. The Best Value Wines listing gives 3 All wines must be currently available from credit to the value wines in the marketplace - wines the winery, or be readily available in the that would otherwise be overshadowed by their much marketplace. Cellar door wine is ineligable. more expensive cousins. The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 159

BEST VALUE BUYS - All under $20 Yealands Estate Land Made Loire Loire Valley Giggling Goose Single Peter Yealands Marlborough Pinot Gris Sauvignon Blanc 2014 Vineyard Padthaway Marlborough Sauvignon 2015 Sauvignon Blanc 2015 Blanc 2015 Smells slightly grassy and Fresh 'Nashi pear' bouquet showing some development A well-made cool climate style Lovely pungent tropical aromas with a hint of minerality and a and a lean Loire palate. $7.99 with a punchy passionfruit leap from the glass. The palate fresh punchy and lean palate nose and good varietal offers perfect balance between exhibiting good length of apple Aldi Stores palate with mouth puckering the sweetness and the intense flavours with nice texture www.aldiliquor.com.au acid/tannin finish. $18 passionfruit flavours. $13.99 and crisp acidity. $19.99 Wira Partners (Giggling Goose Yealands Estate Wines Ltd Yealands Estate Wines Ltd Wines) P: +64 3 575 7618 P: +64 3 575 7618 P+ 61 438 656 012 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] www.yealands.co.nz www.yealands.co.nz www.gigglinggoose.com.au 160 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

Yealands Estate Land The Crossings Awatere Koonowla Clare Valley Koonowla The Ringmaster Made Marlborough Valley Marlborough Riesling 2015 Clare Valley Riesling 2015 Sauvignon Blanc 2015 Sauvignon Blanc 2015 A very fresh and vibrant Big ripe citrus-like aromas with Nose had some tropics some Nice mineral character to the varietal nose with a lovely musky nuances. Nice depth florals and a perfumed lift. fresh floral nose. The palate floral lift and delicately of varietal flavours on a leaner The palate is simple crisp and is vibrant fresh and zingy with flavoured well-structured style of palate with very good slightly acidic. $19.99 strong tropical flavours. $19.99 palate with very firm acidity backbone of acidity and a but is right for this style. $20 vibrant drying finish. $15 Yealands Estate Wines Ltd Yealands Estate Wines Ltd P: +64 3 575 7618 P: +64 3 575 7618 Koonowla Wines Koonowla Wines E: [email protected] E: [email protected] P: +61 8 8849 2270 P: +61 8 8849 2270 www.yealands.co.nz www.yealands.co.nz E: [email protected] E: [email protected] www.koonowla.com www.koonowla.com The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 161

BEST VALUE BUYS - All under $20 Paracombe Holland Queen Adelaide South Brygon Reserve Red Knot by Shingleback Creek Adelaide Hills Eastern Australia Hummingbird Series Pink McLaren Vale Riesling 2015 Riesling 2014 Margaret River Rosé 2015 Chardonnay 2011 Subtle wine with potential. Complex style showing Lifted fresh estery raspberry Delicate perfumed nose; first stage of toasty buttery A tight style with complex nose and soft well-balanced hint of mint and with similar development. Drinking well fleshy fruit and well-handled vibrant palate with some flavours. $20 now. $7.99 balancing oak that's all wrapped savouriness. $17.99 in the zippy crisp acidity. $19.99 Vok Beverages Shingleback Paracombe Premium Wines P: 1800 986 080 Brygon Reserve Wines P: +61 8 8323 9199 P: +61 8 8380 5058 E: [email protected] P: 1800 754 517 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] www.vok.com.au E: [email protected] www.shingleback.com.au www.paracombewines.com www.brygonreservewines.com.au If you’re into food and wine and looking for luxury accommodation in the Hunter Valley then Midnight’s Promise Estate is the place for you. Villa Janji - Villa of Promise :: a romantic retreat for one couple. Midnight's Promise Estate + Wines and Villa Janji | P: +61 2 9235 3947 | E: [email protected] | www.midnightspromise.com.au 162 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

Brygon Reserve Lion's Atze's Corner Barossa Sabella Vineyards Trentham Estate Murray Lair Reserve Collection Valley Shiraz 2014 McLaren Vale Shiraz 2013 Darling Shiraz 2014 Western Australia Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 Earthy blueberry nose with light Massively oaky style of shiraz A great little quaffer with big herbal notes and simple jammy with intense Sarsaparilla-like tarry sweet fruit/oak aromas and A classic Aussie style - very rich palate. $20 fruit but it is supple and highly pleasant well-balanced palate. soft and generous with drinkable. $19.99 3-5 $16 excellent red berry varietal fruit Atze's Corner Wines and caramelised oak. A good P: +61 407 621 989 Sabella Vineyards Trentham Estate wine. $15.99 E: [email protected] P: +61 416361369 P: +61 3 5051 5303 www.atzescornerwines.com.au E: [email protected] E: [email protected] Brygon Reserve Wines www.sabella.com.au www.trenthamestate.com.au P: 1800 754 517 E: [email protected] www.brygonreservewines.com.au AUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND the wine & spirit Issue 145 | Special Edition 2015 Editor & Publisher Winestate Web Site electronic medium or machine-readable form without Peter Simic E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] the express permission of the publisher. Every care is Managing Editor taken in compiling the contents of this publication, but Lara Simic E-mail: [email protected] Printing DAI Rubicon the publisher assumes no responsibility for the effects Administration Website: www.distalliance.com arising therefrom. ABN 56 088 226 411 Vicki Bozsoki E-mail: [email protected] Graphic Designer WINESTATE is published seven times a year by Winestate Publishing Pty Ltd. Lisa McPike E-mail: [email protected] WINESTATE PUBLISHING PTY LTD, Telephone (08) 8357 9277 Marketing Manager 81 King William Road, Unley SA 5061. Peter Jackson E-mail: [email protected] Copyright 2015 by WINESTATE PUBLISHING PTY LTD. Facsimile (08) 8357 9212 Tasting Coordinator This publication may not, in whole or in part, be copied, E-mail [email protected] Madeline Willoughby E-mail: [email protected] photocopied, reproduced, translated or reduced to any Website www.winestate.com.au The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 163

HOW WE JUDGE WINESTATE MAGAZINE TASTING CRITERIA OUR STAR RATING SYSTEM Our tastings and published ratings are designed with one thing in mind: to provide a useful and genuine balanced guide on wines to our readers. In order to achieve this we follow certain procedures in an activity that is notoriously difficult! There are regular criticisms of wine shows and various scoring systems; here is how we approach our tastings. A wide selection of wines there are unpleasant flavours. These advertise if they wish, their awarded Wines are invited from any producer, final ‘medals’ are then converted into wine’s review will be featured regardless provided that they meet the criteria a star rating system for publication in of advertising. The judges’ decisions are of the class being judged. The class Winestate. A gold means 5 stars, silver final and these are published according may be a regional, style or new release is 4, and bronze is 3 stars. to the judges’ scores, whether advertising tasting and generally the wines must be is taken or not. available for consumers to purchase, The biggest judging system although we have museum and rare Winestate examines on average more The judges wine tastings as well. Australasian wines per year than We take care in selecting our judges. any other forum - more than 10,000. But remember: judges are human and Awarding scores Compare this to the biggest show in their own preference will influence Winestate carries out the judging Australia, the royal Melbourne wine their scores. We use judges with using Australian capital city wine show show, with just over 4000 entries. complementary backgrounds and a procedures; the wines are not known three-person panel for each flight will to the judges. The three judges taste Independence of advertising include winemakers with technical the wines blind and assign a score Winestate does charge a nominal expertise and often a marketing/retail without reference to each other. Once entrance fee for wines submitted which expert who knows consumer tastes. this is done, only then do they compare covers our administration costs only, Often one or more of the judges are scores, and if there is dissension they and will often purchase ‘yardstick’ masters of wine with vast international re-taste the wines and come to an wines to be evaluated where we believe experience, and most judges have agreement. Scores are compiled using that these are of consumer or trade experience at major Australian wine the 20-point international system: gold interest if these have not been entered shows. We are also aware of expertise. is 18.5 and above; silver is 17 and by the wineries. In order to produce If we are judging a region, for example, above and is an excellent wine; bronze the biggest and best wine magazine, we will have a winemaker judge from is 15.5 and above and represents good Winestate includes advertising; that region because that person knows wine. A reasonable, sound everyday- however, this is fiercely independent the local style. We balance that with drinking wine scores 15 (but does of any wine tasting editorial. Wine a judge from outside the region and not gain a medal). A bland but clean companies are advised of the blind generally someone with broad and wine scores 14. Below this score tasting results and it is their choice to mature experience. HOW WE COMPARE International 20 Winestate Rating Comment Wine show Medal 100 Point System Point System HHHHH Outstanding Gold 18.5 - 20 93 - 100 HHHH1/2 Excellent High Silver 18 - 18.4 90 - 92 HHHH Very Good Silver 17 - 17.9 85 - 89 HHH1/2 Good/Very Good High Bronze 16.5 - 16.9 83 - 84 HHH Good Bronze 15.5 - 16.4 78 - 82 Wine judging is an inexact art, not a science - even at the highest levels of proficiency. Accordingly, Winestate uses the star rating system which reflects a range, rather than a specific point score. Point systems indicate a level of accuracy that simply does not exist. 164 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

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A gold means 5 stars, silver final and these are published according may be a regional, style or new release is 4, and bronze is 3 stars. to the judges’ scores, whether advertising Address tasting and generally the wines must be is taken or not. available for consumers to purchase, The biggest judging system Suburb State Country THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO WINE SINCE 1978 Over 10,000 tasted annually although we have museum and rare Winestate examines on average more The judges Post Code Phone ( ) wine tastings as well. Australasian wines per year than We take care in selecting our judges. any other forum - more than 10,000. But remember: judges are human and E-mail AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND WINE BUYING GUIDE AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND WINE BUYING GUIDE Awarding scores Compare this to the biggest show in their own preference will influence MAINFREIGHT Winestate carries out the judging Australia, the royal Melbourne wine their scores. We use judges with WORLD’S GREATEST SYRAH & SHIRAZ using Australian capital city wine show show, with just over 4000 entries. complementary backgrounds and a Your subscription will start from the next issue. OVER 500 TASTED Featuring procedures; the wines are not known three-person panel for each flight will SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015 WINESTATE VOL 38 ISSUE 5 World's greatest shiraz ChalleNge X seMilloN riVer regioNs Yarra YalleY & soUtherN ViCtoria otago, Nz Bird in Hand to the judges. The three judges taste Independence of advertising include winemakers with technical Penfolds Grange Paul Jaboulet Henschke Hill of Grace the wines blind and assign a score Winestate does charge a nominal expertise and often a marketing/retail I enclose my cheque for $ Torbreck The Laird Gralyn Estate without reference to each other. Once entrance fee for wines submitted which expert who knows consumer tastes. payable to WINESTATE Magazine or charge my: this is done, only then do they compare covers our administration costs only, Often one or more of the judges are JAPAN’S scores, and if there is dissension they and will often purchase ‘yardstick’ masters of wine with vast international Mastercard Visa Emerging Wine Culture re-taste the wines and come to an wines to be evaluated where we believe experience, and most judges have PINOT CENTRAL agreement. Scores are compiled using that these are of consumer or trade experience at major Australian wine Otago’s claim to fame the 20-point international system: gold interest if these have not been entered shows. We are also aware of expertise. September/October 2015 Life in the Vol 38 Issue 5 $12.00 AUS (inc GST) NZ $13.00 SGD $17.95 US $17.99 GBP £10.95 is 18.5 and above; silver is 17 and by the wineries. In order to produce If we are judging a region, for example, Name on card: PRINT POST APPROVEd 100003663 EUR 9.95 China RMB100 spirit world HKD $120 CHF 15.00 The evolution of Cognac above and is an excellent wine; bronze the biggest and best wine magazine, we will have a winemaker judge from Signature Expires / plus Brandy, Cognac & Armagnac Semillon & Blends Yarra Valley & Southern Victoria River Regions Otago (NZ) is 15.5 and above and represents good Winestate includes advertising; that region because that person knows wine. A reasonable, sound everyday- however, this is fiercely independent the local style. We balance that with Send to: 81 King William Road, Unley SA 5061 Fax to: 08 8357 9212 271_CoverFRONT216x297.indd 1 23/07/2015 3:06:55 PM drinking wine scores 15 (but does of any wine tasting editorial. Wine a judge from outside the region and not gain a medal). A bland but clean companies are advised of the blind generally someone with broad and wine scores 14. Below this score tasting results and it is their choice to mature experience. GIFT SUBSCRIPTION Why not give a Recipient’s Name HOW WE COMPARE AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND WINE BUYING GUIDE Address gift subscription? International 20 Winestate Rating Comment Wine show Medal 100 Point System Suburb State Country Point System HHHHH Outstanding Gold 18.5 - 20 93 - 100 Post Code Phone ( ) Call us today on HHHH1/2 Excellent High Silver 18 - 18.4 90 - 92 Please send a gift card to Me Recipient HHHH Very Good Silver 17 - 17.9 85 - 89 +61 8 8357 9277 or visit HHH1/2 Good/Very Good High Bronze 16.5 - 16.9 83 - 84 Also fill in your details in the section above. www.winestate.com.au HHH Good Bronze 15.5 - 16.4 78 - 82 Wine judging is an inexact art, not a science - even at the highest levels of proficiency. Accordingly, Winestate uses the star rating system which reflects a range, rather than a specific point score. Point systems indicate a level of accuracy that simply does not exist. 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MEMBER EVENTS JANUARY 2016 MAY 2016 SEPTEMBER 2016 PERTH - 15 January 2016 ADELAIDE - 27 May 2016 ADELAIDE - 2 September 2016 Best of the West Mainfreight International Winestate 'Wine of the Year Perth Hyatt Regency Hotel World’s Greatest Shiraz 2016' Subscribers Tasting Challenge XI National Wine Centre Adelaide PERTH - 18 January 2016 National Wine Centre, Adelaide 6pm – 8.30pm Wines of South Africa 6pm – 8.30pm (Free tickets available for Perth Hyatt Regency Hotel (Tickets available early 2016) subscribers in June 2016) APRIL 2016 JUNE 2016 18 NOVEMBER 2016 QUEENSTOWN NZ - Wine ADELAIDE - 30 June 2016 JOIN US ADELAIDE - 8 April 2016 NASAA Organic Wine of the of the Year Awards Lunch Cabernet & Bordeaux Blends Gantleys of Queenstown (NZ) Year Tasting & Awards TODAY! Tasting National Wine Centre, Adelaide Winestate Subscribers National Wine Centre By becoming a 6pm – 8.30pm 6pm – 8.30pm - NZD$95 p/p Non-Subscribers Winestate Member (Tickets available early 2016) (Tickets available March 2016) - NZD$180 p/p you will receive one JULY 2016 ITALY - 10 April 2016 24 NOVEMBER 2016 complimentary ticket SYDNEY - 9 July 2016 Best of South Australia vs Italy ADELAIDE - Wine of the Year to all of our events Veronafiere, Verona - Italy Luigi Bormioli 'Winestate Wine Awards – Adelaide Convention listed upon request! of the Year 2015' Tasting Trenton International, St Peters Centre (Trade Only) 5.30pm – 8.30pm (Tickets available April, 2016) ALDI Liquor aldiliquor.com.au Australias Best Value ’ LIQUOR RETAILER * Over 200 wine, beer and spirits are available at your fingertips from our every day range and exciting special buys. Order now on your smartphone, tablet or desktop for quality liquor delivered straight to your door. free delivery when you spend over $200 † Delivery charges are on a per case basis. †Excludes Beer, Cider and RTDs. This offer is valid for selected Eastern Seaboard Delivery locations only. ALDI supports the responsible service of alcohol. It is illegal to purchase alcohol for people under 18. On line sales made pursuant to the Authority of packaged liquor licence no: LIQP770010278. *Roy Morgan Single Source (Australia), January 2013 – December 2013. n=8,460. Base: Australians 18+ who specified the store they usually purchase alcohol. Special Edition 2015 WINES TATE 167 ALC6870_WINESTATE_AD_178x135.indd 1 6/05/2015 4:30 pm

contact det ails FROM THE PRODUCER PINOT GRIS/PINOT GRIGIO Jackson Estate NZ P: +64 3 572 9500 Domaine Asmara Aldi Stores E: [email protected] P: +61 3 5433 6133 www.aldiliquor.com.au www.jacksonestate.co.nz E: [email protected] www.domaineasmara.com Longview Vineyard Longview Vineyard P: +61 8 8388 9694 P: +61 8 8388 9694 Hugo Wines E [email protected] E: [email protected] P: +61 8 8383 0098 www.longviewvineyard.com.au www.longviewvineyard.com.au E: [email protected] www.hugowines.com.au Maude Winery Mt Difficulty (NZ) P: +64 3 443 2959 P: +64 3 445 3445 Mistletoe Wines E: [email protected] E: [email protected] P: +61 2 4998 7770 www.maudewines.com www.mtdifficulty.co.nz E: [email protected] www.mistletoe.com.au Mt Difficulty (NZ) Soho Wine Co. P: +64 3 445 3445 P: +64 9 360 5443 Wira Partners (Giggling Goose Wines) E: [email protected] E: [email protected] P: +61 438 656 012 www.mtdifficulty.co.nz www.sohowineco.com E: [email protected] www.gigglinggoose.com.au Pask Winery Spring Creek Vintners Ltd P: +64 6 879 7906 P: +64 3 570 2251 NEW RELEASE E: [email protected] E: [email protected] www.pask.co.nz Andrew Peace Wines Villa Maria Estate Ltd P: +61 3 5030 6133 Yealands Estate Wines Ltd P: +64 9 255 1754 E: [email protected] P: +64 3 575 7618 E: [email protected] www.apwines.com E: [email protected] www.villamaria.co.nz www.yealands.co.nz Brygon Reserve Wines Wairau River Wines (NZ) P: +61 419 865 556 QUEENSLAND P: +64 3 572 7950 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] www.brygonreservewines.com.au Ballandean Estate Wines www.wairauriverwines.com P: +61 7 4684 1226 Curtis Family Vineyards E: [email protected] Yealands Estate Wines Ltd P: +61 439 800 484 www.ballandeanestate.com.au P: +64 3 575 7618 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] www.curtisfamilyvineyards.com Ridgemill Estate www.yealands.co.nz P: +61 7 4683 5211 Fox Creek Wines E: [email protected] BEST VALUE BUYS P: +61 8 8557 0000 www.ridgemillestate.com E: [email protected] Aldi Stores www.foxcreekwines.com Whiskey Gully Wines www.aldiliquor.com.au P: +61 7 4683 5100 Gumpara Wines E: [email protected] Atze’s Corner Wines P: +61 419 624 559 www.whiskeygullywines.com.au P: +61 407 621 989 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] www.gumpara.blogspot.com RIESLING Brygon Reserve Wines Latitude 34 Wine Co Australian Vintage Limited P: +61 419 865 556 P: +61 8 9417 5633 P: +61 8 8172 8333 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] www.brygonreservewines.com.au www.latitude34wine.com.au www.avl.com.au Koonowla Wines Prestige World Wine Koonowla Wines P: +61 8 8849 2080 P: +61 8 8563 0555 P: +61 8 8849 2080 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] www.koonowla.com www.koonowla.com Reillys Wines Paracombe Premium Wines P: +61 8 8358 0480 Maude Winery P: +61 8 8380 5058 E: [email protected] P: +64 3 443 2959 E: [email protected] www.reillyswines.com.au E: [email protected] www.paracombewines.com www.maudewines.com Sabella Vineyards Sabella Vineyards P: +61 8 8323 8470 SAUVIGNON BLANC P: +61 8 8323 8470 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] www.sabella.com.au Aldi Stores www.sabella.com.au www.aldiliquor.com.au Shingleback Shingleback P: +61 8 8323 9199 Eradus Wines Ltd P: +61 8 8323 9199 E: [email protected] P: +64 3 579 4472 E: [email protected] www.shingleback.com.au E: [email protected] www.shingleback.com.au www.eraduswines.co.nz Totino Nominees Totino Nominees P: +61 8 8349 1200 Foley Family Wines Limited P: +61 8 8349 1200 E: [email protected] P: +64 27 527 7338 Email: [email protected] www.festivalcitywines.com.au E: [email protected] www.festivalcitywines.com.au www.foleyfamilywines.com Vok Beverages Wira Partners (Giggling Goose Wines) P: +61 8 8182 1841 Giesen Wines P: +61 438 656 012 E: [email protected] P: +64 3 344 6270 E: [email protected] www.vok.com.au E: [email protected] www.gigglinggoose.com.au www.giesen.co.nz Wines by Geoff Hardy Yealands Estate Wines Ltd P: +61 8 8388 3700 Invivo Wines P: +64 3 575 7618 E: [email protected] P: +64 21 852 068 E [email protected] www.handcraftedbygeoffhardy.com.au E: [email protected] www.yealands.co.nz www.invivowines.com 168 WINES TATE Special Edition 2015

Special Edition 2015 WINES TATE 169

af ter taste ELISABETH KING A TIME ZONE THAT GETS THE TICK OF APPROVAL EVERY year the venerable Oxford English Dictionary releases a small list of new words which have gained such universal currency they are deemed to have officially entered the English language. The news garners wine o’clock is a female-dominated custom. There have been some warnings, mainly a forest of headlines worldwide and only a Then there’s the merchandise. A personalised from the UK, that many women aren’t stopping hermit could be unaware that wine o’clock - wine glass from Identity Direct with your name at one glass. Late last year, a British survey the appropriate time of day to start drinking and the text “It’s Wine O’Clock” is just the from Harris Interactive revealed that one in wine - has made the grade. beginning. The Artisan Wine Co in Canada three Brits drinks at home alone and 15 per The habit has been around for centuries, of sells a quartet of British Colombian wines cent regularly finish off a whole bottle of wine course. Belgians Pieter and Paulus Langerock under the Wine O’Clock label and the varietals a night. But men outnumber women two to became the world’s oldest living twin brothers indicate the sex of the target market - pinot one. In Australia and the US, though, wine in July and journalists rushed to interview the grigio, moscato, a fruity shiraz and red blend. o’clock is viewed as me-time, especially 102 year olds to discover the secret of their It’s become a standard joke that the when women become mothers. More like a long life. “Eat in moderation, drink a good appropriate dress for the wine o’clock ritual ritual that involves getting out a fancy glass glass of wine every day and avoid chasing is pyjamas and going bra-less. In the US, after you get home from work or the kids have women,” replied the French-speaking duo. White Lotus offers the “It’s Wine O’Clock” tank gone to bed. You can talk to your partner and/ They moved to a nursing home three years top in three sizes. Cold feet? Why not slip on or watch TV or catch up on social media. A ago and still enjoy a daily glass of top quality a pair of Wine O’Clock women’s socks from magic interlude between switching off and bordeaux. the Sock Guy, made from 75 per cent ultra feeling the tension slip away until the cycle What’s changed over the past few years is wicking micro denier for exceptional comfort begins again tomorrow. that a nice glass of wine at around 6pm or and strength. I may live in a fool’ s paradise or don’t mix with 7pm has become a reward for middle class Such casual options don’t really take the those who over-indulge. But the only worries women around the world for doing what life importance of the practice seriously enough. I have ever heard about wine o’clock could demands of them. Or, as Professor Robin For women who do, Maiocchi, a Brisbane- be easily explained away. One of my friends Touquet of Imperial College London puts it – based fashion label, offers the Wine O’Clock thought it was a sign of getting older when she “gratification for being a domestic goddess”. Dress - a knee-length, bamboo jersey frock started to feel tipsy after one glass of wine. Wine isn’t alone in being viewed as a comfort. with a V-neck, short sleeves and fit and flare A quick investigation revealed that the glass Ice cream has become a panacea for a broken style priced at $209. There’s no need to stop size she was using - a 250ml one - was the heart and chocolate is also an addictive treat. the pizzazz there. Femme Fatale Cosmetics problem. Once I pointed out that restaurants Men look forward to a drink after a hard offers the eye-catching “It’s Wine O’Clock only fill large glasses halfway, she switched day’s yakka, as the old VB ad starring craggy Somewhere” nail polish in Liquid Sky Lacquer. to smaller glasses. actor John Meillon famously told Aussie males US-based online retailer Etsy.com stocks the Another editor friend of mine asked if it was for decades. But wine o’clock is essentially finishing fashion touch of the Wine O’Clock all right to shift wine o’clock to 5pm. When I a female phenomenon often linked to Wristwatch from the UK – “perfect for the wine asked why, she told me that her four-year-old educational attainment. University-educated lover of the family or as a treat for yourself any daughter had been diagnosed with juvenile women tend to have children later, revealed a time it’s wine o’clock”. diabetes and she needed to calm down report by the London School of Economics, Sure there are bars on the French Riviera after picking her up from day care. To avoid and have enjoyed more active social lives, and in California calling themselves Wine over-indulging, the salient question is - How and established the habit of going to a local O’Clock these days, but most women indulge long can you keep a bottle of wine once it’s bar with male colleagues after a stressful day themselves at home. Stores and websites opened? As a general rule, whites and rose in the office. They are also more likely to have bristle with wine-inspired decor items for the keep for up to five days in the fridge with the grown up in a middle class family where a all-important part of the day. There are wall cork or screw cap firmly back in place. Kept glass of wine in the evening was viewed as clocks, luggage tags, gift cards, aprons and away from bright light and heat, red wines a relaxing way to unwind. napkins. The It’s Wine O’Clock linen towel from will also last as long. One of my friends only Beer o’clock was also included in this year’s Australian brand Ink & Weave comes with the buys half bottles. Another prefers the luxury list of new words included in the Oxford English timely message – “Drink responsibly. Never option of a piccolo of champagne as the Dictionary to further punch home the point that drink and dry”. perfect pick-up on a school night. ne xt issue: As we launch into a brand new year it’s time to take a look back at the best that 2015 had to offer with reviews of all the four, four-and-a-half and five star wines! 170 WINES TATE Special Edition 2015



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