Thursday, 26 August 2010
Three quality ranges, budget level Skuttlebutt, the medium Stella Bella and individual vineyard Suckfizzle which represent value for money at their respective price points.
2009 Skuttlebutt Sauvignon Blanc Semillon (4* $18) A pleasant enough drop though I preferred the ones I'd tried elsewhere.
2009 Stella Bella Semillon Sauvignon Blanc (4.5* $21) A very classy little number in an early drinking style. Good summer style.
2010 Stella Bella Sauvignon Blanc (4.5* $24) Fresh style with passionfruit and citrus notes which I thought offered fantastic value for money.
2006 Suckfizzle Sauvignon Blanc Semillon (5* $45) A fantastic wine with great length on the palate. Halliday's a big fan, rating it a 96.
2007 Stella Bella Viognier (4* $28) A good example of the varietal style with plenty of apricot notes. One to look for.
2008 Stella Bella Chardonnay (4.5* $30) deliciously creamy and a really good expression of the oaked style.
2008 Skuttlebutt Rose Shiraz Merlot (4* $18) A sign that Hughesy's going to have some very tricky decisions to make regarding summer fridge-friendly reds.
2007 Skuttlebutt Shiraz Cabernet (4* $18) Would make a rather pleasant lunch style, though I doubt I'll be able to fit it in to the order book,
2007 Stella Bella Sangiovese Cabernet (4.5* $30) Plenty of tannin and oak makes for a a great style to go with Italian food.
2007 Stella Bella Tempranillo (4.5* $30) Big muscular barbeque style that would go down a treat with chargrilled beef.
2007 Stella Bella Shiraz (4.5* $27) Another beauty, fragrant and abundant spice and pepper. Pity summer's coming up, would be a great winter style.
2007 Stella Bella Cabernet Merlot (5* $32) produced tasting notes that read WOW! Great nose. The Benchmark for the blend. Definitely one I'll be looking to order.
2009 Skuttlebutt Savvy Sauvignon Blanc (4* $18) a low alcohol easy drinking sweeter style that'll attract its share of fans, though it didn't convince me.
The order would have to be two dozen. A dozen whites, with the four top rated and the Viognier, I think. Four of the SSB, two each for the others ($338). Same basic idea for the reds, double up on the Rose, and leave out the Skuttlebutt Shiraz Cabernet ($310).