Bird in Hand Joy 2007

It is great to see more wineries really trying to produce a top quality sparkling. The Bird in hand Joy is made from Pinot Noir and is fermented in stainless steel tanks for 6 months before bottle secondary fermentation for 3 years.  

 

Bird in the Hand Joy 2007 

 

The first thing I notice is the lovely bead that this wine has with flavours of cherry syrup and strawberry creams coming to the fore. These flavours continue on the palate with a creaminess and thickness in action. The wine is ready to go and works well ,all be it in a more is more style.  

 

Alcohol: 13% 

Price: $75 

Rated: 90 

Drink: Now 

 

 

Lovely packaging!

Unico Zelo Rosato 2014

Rose can be so easy to drink and has become more of a winemaker’s pet project. As a rose can be made from any variety it has allowed some creativity to emerge. 

Unico Zelo Rosato 2014

I have written in my notes Grenache and Sangiovese based? Well I had one right but not the other as this is a Nebbiolo, Dolcetto, Grenache and Merlot based wine done in a saignee style. The nose is sweet and is dominated by the Grenache notes mixed with a little earthier moment. These confected cherries and creamy flavours are very evident on the palate which feels like more of a light red than a rose. 

Alcohol:13.5%
Price: $24
Rated: 85
Drink: Now

La Bise Wines Rose 2014

The La Bise brand is owned by Tash Mooney and they source grapes from the Adelaide Hills and Coonawarra regions. The market for these wines is aimed at the organic personnel and the less is more consumers.

The La Bise website doesn’t ever have this wine attached so it may not be released yet. Or it has sold out ,either way I thought I should put it up.

 La Bise Wines Rose 2014

The wine feels ready to go with a sweet aroma of flavour bounding out the bottle. In the glass savouriness comes to the fore but this feels like it is a conventional rose that would appeal to the masses. I would put the wine in the glug glug guzzle guzzle  end of the spectrum  as it is easy to drink without ticking the complexity and sophistication boxes yet it still has a hint of graininess to it.

 Alcohol: ?

Price: $15

Rated: 87 good value

Drink: Now

S.C. Pannell Arido Rose 2013 Plus Pork and Mash

Ok so I have a bit of a problem at the moment. I'm Broke! Well it's been a problem for a while now but around the festive season it is a little worse. I was looking in the fridge and cupboard and I decided to do whatever I could do with what I had. The menu for tonight.

Herbed Pork with mash and asparagus

I'm luck that I plant herbs and other stuff in the garden as I wouldn't be able to cut the herbs and the asparagus 2 minutes before I start cooking them.

Pork

2 pork medallions
a handful of thyme and oregano
a pinch of salt and pepper
a splash of balsamic vinegar

Chop the herbs and coat the pork with herbs and salt and pepper and allow to sit for a while. I allowed it to sit while I put together the mash.  Once potatoes are mashed place pork on a medium hot pan and cook for 2 minutes on each side. Once cooked add balsamic vinegar and turn three to four times every thirty seconds until cooked to desired level.


Mash Potato

3 large potatoes with skin on
100 g butter
50 g cheese ( I used the left over I had in the fridge)

Boil the potatoes in water until soft. Strain water and add butter and grated cheese. I mashed the mix and allowed it to sit for a moment.

Asparagus

One bunch asparagus

Stream asparagus until al dente and serve with pork and mash.

S.C. Pannell Arido Rose 2013

This wine worked so well with the medium bodied pork but I think it could take some Asian style food as well.  The wine is very pale which suggests that it is made in a savoury dry style, rather than a light dry red style. The grapes for this wine were hand picked and then had 1 day skin contact before being drained off into tank. The flavours that are prominent on this wine are orange rind, cherry, spring blossom and earth with no tannin component and only a touch of acidity pulling it together. This wine has sweetness but it otherwise a dry style rose that possesses length and character. I would recommend drinking this early on a warm summers day.

Alcohol: ? Bottle says 13% but website says 14.1%
Price: $22
Rated: 88
Drink: Now

Longview Vineyard Riserva Nebbiolo 2012

Longview Vineyards was established by the brothers, Peter and Mark Saturno, in 1995. Well actually they bought it off of Duncan MacGilvray in 2001. Total production is 20000 dozen which puts them in the medium size winery category.


Longview Vineyard Riserva Nebbiolo 2012

What a big arse bottle this is and it does look impressive. The wine was made traditionally but really what the hell does that mean. When I first tasted Longview wines years ago the Riserva label was set at 80 bucks but now it is around the 45 mark which makes this wine rather good quality and value.

The aroma coming from my glass is in the typical nebbiolo spectrum with dusty cherries, fresh flowers and tar.  These translate onto the palate and meld well with the medium bodied nature of the wine and the nice acidity. The tannins are prominent yet feel pliant or bouncy which adds structure and texture. The balance between the structure and flavour is beautiful. This wine is one of the best examples of this variety in Australia.

Alcohol: 14.1%
Price: $45
Rated: 91
Drink: Now - 2022

Longview Vineyard Boat Shed Rosato 2014

The Longview winery is one of the most specular in the Adelaide Hills. Brilliant view and a monumental Lunch menu over the weekend. This boat shed wine comes from the estate range. The vineyard is located in Macclesfield which gets a bit warmer than many other areas in the Adelaide Hills.

Longview Vineyard Boat Shed Rosato 2014

A bit on the candied side of the spectrum which wasn't what I was expecting as Nebbiolo is used to make this. Think of candy coated cherries, strawberry creams and musk sticks on a medium length palate. I could see the people that drink UDLs going for this one with a nice salad on a warm summers day.

Alcohol: 13.3%
Price: $19.50
Rated: 84
Drink: Now

Bird & Fox Sauvignon Blanc Orange 2014

The label for this is beautiful as it just has a bird and a fox on the front. The back label informs that it is an orange wine made from the Sauvignon Blanc grape. Well actually the clear bottle allows the orange colour to come through which is much better than articulating that it is a sav blanc. I believe that orange wines should have a wine name and not both with a reference to the variety.

Bird & Fox Sauvignon Blanc Orange 2014

What texture this vibrant little number possesses which seems to be well balanced by acidity. The Sauvignon Blanc was kept on skins for 10 days prior to being pressed off to 2 old French barrels.
In the beginning this tasted a low like Tom Shobbrooks Giallo in flavour profile with a massive hit of guava, dragon fruits, orange rind and all sorts of spices. The texture is thick yet vibrant and refreshing. Lovely and a great introduction to orange or skin contact wines.

Alcohol: 11%
Price: $18
Rated: 88
Drink: While the sun shines.

Unico Zelo Fiano 2014 & Jericho Wines Fiano 2014

These two wines are almost polar opposites in flavour spectrum and texture. The area of the Riverland is hot, let us put that upfront to start with but it seems to be finding a beautiful home to some of the more interesting varieties that are coming out. On the other hand the Adelaide Hills has been planting the Italian varieties for a while now. I was speaking to a group of wine makers from around the country and all but one said that Fiano, Sangiovese, Sagrantino and Nero d'Avola are good but they need to plant more in the cooler areas, such as the Adelaide Hills, to see what the variety can do. I think they were talking about marginal areas.

Jericho Wines Fiano 2014

The grapes for this wine were pressed straight to tank and allowed to undergo fermentation. The wine spent minimal time in contact with lees before being bottled. The wine feels very ripe with flavours of SPC mixed tinned fruits, think peach, apricots,  rock melon and candied limes. The flavours are full on but the wine does not possess much texture or structure. It is easy to drink and makes me feel it is built for now.

Alcohol: 13%
Price: $25
Rated: 86
Drink: Now - 2016

Unico Zelo Fiano 2014

The vineyard for this wine has produced a textural wine that looks more like a European style than the Australian ones. From the outset the texture is the most appealing thing that lingers and coats the front and mid-palate of my mouth. The wine is released too early and means that the flavour or experience of the wine is cut short. The flavours are in the typical Fiano spectrum with pears and honey mixed with fresh cut herbs and lemon zest. The acidity holds the wine together and keeps it pert from the get go. One of the best Fiano's on the market from a new producer.

Alcohol: 13.5%
Price: $22
Rated: 91 +
Drink: 2015 - 2025

Fiano x 6

Fiano in Australia seems to be doing pretty well. Most of the better examples coming from the warmer areas, except Scott which comes from the Adelaide Hills.

Pikes Wines Luccio Fiano 2014

Really candied fruit profile but in the typical Fiano flavour, just a bit too candied or fairy floss in nature. Think about the flavours in terms of peach and nectarines with an ok mouth feel adding interest. The length is a little short but hopefully will fill out with some time in the bottle.

Alcohol:
Price: $18
Rated: 84
Drink: Now - 2019

Beach Road Wines Fiano 2013

Big end of town with flavours of apple cider and poached peach making its impact felt. The wine lack a bit of freshness but it does have impact. I'm not sure how long it will last but I would recommend drinking it sooner rather than later.

Alcohol: 13.5%
Price: $25
Rated: 85
Drink: Now - 2016

 



Scott Wines Fiano 2014

Yes baby this is what I'm talking about with a very good balance between flavour and texture. The flavours come in the form of honey, spice and hay mixed with nectarines and lemon acidity. The Scott wine is a lighter profiled wine with nice texture and liveliness brimming throughout. The texture comes in the form mouth feel and dryness which makes this wine so easy to drink bucket loads of.

Alcohol: 13
Price: $26
Rated: 89
Drink: Now - 2024

 

 

 

 

Savina Lane Wines Fiano Classico 2013

I've never tasted a wine from the Granite belt but I didn't think they could produce a wine like this. It has a great retention of acidity on a palate that is textural and thick but has a liveliness to it. I couldn't fault the palate length and detailed profile.

Alcohol:
Price: $35
Rated: 92
Drink: Now - 2024

 

 

Oliver's Taranga Fiano 2014

 

 

Bursting with richness and firm acidity that just comes balling out of the glass. The textural level is up further on this wine than the rest of the Fiano's so far but it is perfectly balanced by the acidity. The acidity has a flavour of lemon skin and this perfectly offsets the spiciness of the wine. There is some fruit to the wine but I don't really care to mention it because my glass is empty and I'm heading to the fridge for another glass.

 

Alcohol: 12.5%
Price: $24
Rated: 91
Drink: Now - 2026

 

 

Coriole Vineyards Fiano 2014

 

 

This is very complex with mandarin, warm honey, hay and some stone fruit or fruit salad component. The textural element is bombastic and brilliant which would put this the best textural Fiano on the market. Love it!

 

Alcohol:

Price: $25

Rated: 93

Drink: Now - 2024

 

 

 

 



First Drop Wines Vivo Arneis 2014

Arneis is fast becoming a go to style for me. It has flavour, in the light and refreshing manner, with nice structure and works well over the hotter months when the fish dishes are flowing. The First Drop Vivo comes from the Adelaide Hills and is treated pretty simply. It is picked in the cool of the night then transported to the winery where it is pressed straight to tank. It has three to four months on lees before being filtered to bottle. Bang, it is in the stores ready for spring. Bring that on.

First Drop Wines Vivo Arneis 2014

The wine has a roundness to it which gives it a textural element but otherwise it is all about the citrus tang. There is a hint of pear on the front palate but it doesn't really matter as it is so easy to down a glass or two without noticing. A summer wine that has a more savoury profile than the tropical Sav Blancs and is easy to down with food.

Alcohol: ?
Price: $25
Rated: 90
Drink: Now - 2019

Ashton Hills Blend No. 1 Pinot Noir 2013

Now I heard this from a mate that Stephen George was selling his vineyard and moving on in his life. I would live to buy the vineyard but I have no money which makes it tough. I also have no idea how to grow or make quality Pinot Noir but Stephen George is a magician with the variety. This wine is case in point as the season was extremely difficult.


Ashton Hills Blend No. 1 Pinot Noir 2013

Wow this is a broody Pinot with flavours of rhubarb and dried plums on a medium bodied palate weight.  It is intense and easy to drink which is a hall mark of Stephen's ability to craft quality wines but the only thing I think is missing is elegance and a spine of acidity. I would call this wine a fruity number with lots of Pinot goodness thrown in. You won't need to hold it just crack it open on a school night and go for it.

Alcohol: 14%
Price: $35
Rated: 90
Drink: Now - 2017

Shingleback Haycutters Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2012

McLaren Vale isn’t renowned for its white wines but Shingleback did well to combine the Vale fruit with fruit from the cooler Adelaide Hills. While the top wines from Shingleback are very good to great quality that require time in the cellar the entry level stuff is easy to drink now.  

 

Shingleback Haycutters Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2012 

 

This blend of predominately Sauvignon Blanc is all tropical fruit with a hint of lemon grass on the back end. The flavour profile is interesting with the sav taking centre with the Semillon providing a touch of structure. At the moment the taste is full on on the front with the palate thinning out towards the middle. I would enjoy this for the summer open and inviting fun.  

 

Alcohol: 12% 

Price: $15 

Rated: 83 

Drink: Now 

 

 

d'Arenberg DADD NV

The DADD is a lighter style white sparkling wine made from fruit grown in the cool and crisp Adelaide Hills. The wine only sees partial malo-fermentation which highlights the zippy nature of the wine. I would recommend serving this as an aperitif.

 

d’Arenberg DADD NV

 

This reminds me of a prosecco wine as there are tart apples and lemon rind at the core of the flavours. These flavours are joined by spice on the back palate and grapefruit on the front. Everything is light and delicate which would make for a refreshing drink over the warmer months. For a white sparkling it doesn’t possess the full on rich nuttiness or depth of flavour but it also doesn’t come with a huge price tag either.

 

Alcohol: 11.7%
Price: $24 - $28

Rated: 86

Drink: Now

Wirra Wirra The Lost Watch Riesling 2013

The Riesling from 2013 feel like they are fruit expressive with many being a little more open than the best years but the best wines combine fruit weight and structure which put them on par with the 2010, 2012 and 2004 versions.

 

Wirra Wirra The Lost Watch Riesling 2013

 

These regional selection wines are high quality and generally focus on the cooler or vineyard select varieties. This wine comes from the pristine Adelaide Hills and tastes like lemon blossom and spring flowers. The flavours are crunchy which must mean there is a huge amount of acidity hanging around. I would then recommend a stint in the cellar as this would work out the bobbly nature on the back palate and allow the flavour to fully unfurl.

 

Alcohol: 12.5%

Price: $19

Rated: 91

Drink: 2015 - 2025

 

Mike Press Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

Mike Press is located in Kenton Valley in the Adelaide Hills which is more renowned for cherries and a golf course rather than grape growing. I propose that Mike should add the sub-region as well as the Adelaide Hills. It is good to promote districts.

 

Mike Press Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

 

The father of affordable stylish wines has done well with the 2011 vintage. The oak is prominent but the flavours of Crushed leaves, dried herbs and cassis over take the oak on day 3. The mid-pale is rather sweet but it makes it so easy to drink. It’s not a sipping wine but would work well with a side of meat on the BBQ and a group of friends. If you leave it in the cellar I think the savoury quality of Cabernet will win out.  The amount of oak in this wine suggests that you will need to cellar it for a while but if you want to drink it now just open it in the morning before you go to work and leave the cap off.

 

Alcohol: 14%

Price: $14

Rated: 85

Drink: Now – 2020