Stella Bella Tasting Notes

These notes, which also appear in the Tastings section of the site, are grouped together here for easy reference.

Stella Bella 2007 Cabernet Merlot (5* $32) Hughesy's benchmark for the blend. Rich, lush, fragrant and aromatic, plenty of full-bodies fruit across the palate delivering the sort of line, length and balance we used to associate with the Australian bowling attack in the Warne/McGrath years. Would go on for years, but will probably not be given the chance. Another argument for a larger wine fridge.

Stella Bella 2007 Sangiovese Cabernet (4.5* $30) Halliday described it as "totally delicious" and I couldn't do any better. Plenty of fruit flavour and fine tannin. Will definitely be back for more.

Stella Bella 2006 Suckfizzle Sauvignon Blanc Semillon (4.5* $36) Plenty happening on the nose, herbs, grass, berries and talc, with the interaction between Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and oak delivering a complexity across the palate with layers to savour over a lengthy sitting. Won't be waiting too long to open the other bottle on hand and definitely one to throw in the next order from Stella Bella.

Stella Bella 2007 Tempranillo (4.5* $30) Monstrous savoury nose, with abundant muscular tannin. One to savour over a stew in winter or with chargrilled beef. Will be looking at the '08.


© Ian Hughes 2012