Catching up on podcast subscriptions when we returned to base the latest Wine Week offering was a Brad-less Danny engaging in a comparative tasting of a Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc and a Clare Riesling, with a predictable outcome given the lad’s oft-stated love of Aussie Riesling.
Richard Hamilton 2008 Slate Quarry Riesling (RRP $18 TWS $13.99 Reorder $11.89) mightn’t be up there with the absolute best on offer from the Clare and Eden Valleys, but it’s not bad. Some ripe citrus on the nose along with a crisp acidity in the mouth add up to the sort of wine that I’d have been quite happy to reorder eighteen months ago. A glance at the back label suggests a bottling intended for the Malaysian market, which probably accounts for the substantial difference between RRP and the TWS regular price. A wine of this quality for a touch under $12 would, under ordinary circumstances, be good buying. Having visited Clare last year ago, and having signed up to a number of winery mailing lists, I’ve got around two dozen Rieslings on hand that are at least this good, so that’s going to be enough for the time being.
On the other hand, the Printhie 2006 Chardonnay (RRP $18 TWS $12.99 Reorder $11.04), which Mr Halliday rates at 94, is something that I’m definitely about to reorder. There’s also a Wynns 2007 Cabernet Shiraz Merlot (RRP $21.49 TWS $11.99) in the current Member Catalogue, so I’ll be weakening in that direction as well.
The Printhie Chardonnay, an elegant high altitude cool climate number from Orange promises good things to come from the first whiff of peaches and nuts, follows through with buttery notes incorporated into a full and rich palate with a lingering finish. One of the best Chardonnays I can recall, not quite the big buttery style, though, as noted, there’s a hint of that in the mix. One to savour over the next year or two....
Of the reds, the Circle Collection 2008 Merlot from Littore (RRP $11.99 TWS $10.99 Reorder $9.34) is one of the ubiquitous South Eastern Australia models, with some pleasant fruit characters and balanced tannins and a lingering finish. While it’s not one to reject as undrinkable - on the contrary, it’s a very drinkable style, and excellent value for money at the reorder price - given previously noted factors it isn’t one to reorder.
The same considerations come into play where The Wine Society 2006 Barossa Valley Shiraz (TWS $12.99 Reorder $11.04) is concerned. Deep red, plenty on offer on the nose and a fairly rich palate with a rounded mouthfeel and a clean finish, it’s perfectly drinkable with none of what Madam terms that cheap wine Shiraz taste you tend to find at the lower price points, but I’m inclined to head to Coonawarra for my next supply of red.
According to the back label of the Kissing Bridge 2007 Cabernet Merlot (RRP $11.99 TWS $10.88 Reorder $9.34) each year the Cheviot Bridge Wine Company seek out the best wines from throughout Australia to ensure that each vintage will be the same outstanding wine. That’s a pretty big call.
While there’s nothing wrong with the wine per se, there’s no way it’s outstanding. For my money, another good example of the well-made wines Australia produces around this price point would be closer to the mark. It’s a wine that ticks all the right boxes at the price point - blackberries, chocolate and oak on the nose, pleasant tannins and a lengthy finish - without doing much to stand out from the pack.
Reorder? Don’t think so. Buy a bottle if sighted in a bottle shop suitably discounted? Quite possible. That’ll depend, of course, on what else is in the vicinity....
