Sip those winter blues away

The weather has turned into a rain storm here in Adelaide and the surrounding areas. It is the time of year when the hearty food options come to the centre of my attention as the fire rages in the living room and I pine for a glass of something beautiful.

Mayhem & Co. Hipster Riesling 2012

Does anyone want a lip punching Riesling with style? Oh bab,y give this to me seven more times! The flavours of pink grapefruit, summer flowers, mineral dust and dehydrated lemon pulp are intense to say the least but they are inconsequential to the structure, tightness of the wine and the brilliant length. At the moment it is a little unyielding but all the componants are there for pure enjoyment to hit in about 6 years time. The quality is undeniable and the vineyard has been around for 100 years so its credentials are sound.

Alcohol: 12.4%
Price: $26
Rated: 92
Drink: 2017 - 2027

Henschke Keyneton Euphonium 2010

This wine is a blend of 70% Shiraz, 18% Cabernet and 12% Merlot but it is the Merlot which dominates the front palate. The great depth of flavours such as plums and mulberries attack the front palate with elegant vigor before the Shiraz kicks in on the mid-palate. Each componant does its part and everything is finished off with a touch of blackcurrants, chocolate covered wild herbs and cedary spice. While I think this is a very high quality wine right now, it will show better with 12 years under its belt.

Alcohol: 14.5%
Price: $42
Rated: 90+
Drink: 2022 - 2034

Patritti Selection 181 Grenache 2011

Grenache and the lighter bodied wines are all the rage at the moment as they are easier to drink with a wider variety of foods. Patritti's version also offers dirty charm and structure which complements the food as well. At the core of this wine is a flavour profile that is dominated by earthiness and redberry loving. It is a little wild and exotic to start with but there are those typical McLaren Vale flavours coming in on the back palate in the form of red licorice. The acidity of the wine sparkles which lifts the flavour profile right out of the glass. As this is the first release of this wine I would warn everyone that these will only get better as the winemaker learns what he can do with this variety from this vineyard.

Alcohol: 14%
Price: $28
Rated: 89
Drink: Now - 2018

 

Port Phillip Estate Chardonnay 2011

This is the first wine I have tried from Port Phillip Estate and it is a very high quality one. This Chardonnay is picked from a single vineyard and then whole bunch pressed into French oak and then let nature take its course. Wild yeast, mostly older oak and lees stirring makes for a good quality interesting style, if they can pull it off. In this case it has worked a treat with the fruit still taking centre stage but there is enough winemaker complexity to hold any hardcore chardy'slovers attention. The core of acidity to remarkable and means this will mature nicely in the cellar. Drink now or later, who cares when it is this good.

Alcohol: 13%
Price: $30 - $34
Rated: 90
Drink: Now - 2022