Weingut Fritz Haag Riesling 2009

Fritz Haag Riesling 2009

Once upon a time in a land far far away lived Amelie Apple and Penelope Peach.  All day long they loved to dance and sing merry songs of love.  They wished to be swept off their feet by two valiant princes but the wild mineral monster ruined their plans at every turn.  Until one day at the start of spring a band of merry men heard the vial tail.  Floral Florian and Percy Pineapple were the leaders of the tropical gang who trudged across the waste lands undoing the wrongs of the land.  They had heard great yet evil stories about the might of the monster.  As the morning sun rose over the hills Percy could hear a mesmerising voice coming from the lake.  He followed the voice into the water, swimming down towards the dim light.  After what seemed like forever he pulled himself out of the lake clutching the sword of lemon zest.  Striding into battle they drove off the mineral monster winning the hands of Amelie Apple and Penelope Peach.



Alcohol: 11%
Price: $30
Rated: 89
Drink: now - 2019
Importer: Eurocentric Wine 

Stefano Lubiana Estate Pinot Noir 2009

In 2009 the weather was a little wild and woolie, resulting in reduced yield and greater structure. I get the feeling that Stefano's 2010s will be more accessible as conditions were much warmer right across Tasmania. As we are transitioning into spring I've been thinking about what the conditions have been like in Tasmania. There would definitely be snow on Cradle Mountain, which would make it a fantastic backdrop to mountain bike down with a small picnic and a bottle of this in your back pack.  Cozy thermals a must.

Stefano Lubiana Estate Pinot Noir 2009

I started thinking about tastes from my past when I was sampling this.  Cherry Coke came to mind. Well, I wrote down cherry bomb and cola so maybe Cherry Coke is a bit of a stretch but you know what I mean.  There is definitely great depth of flavour and light and fluffy tannins draping themselves all over this wine.  As with all the other wines of Stefano that I've cellared, they blossom in the bottle. 

Alcohol: 14%
Price: $50
Rated: 92
Drink: 2015 - 2020

Balnaves Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

When I first started collecting wine, Balnaves took up most of my cellar.  It holds a special place in my heart as it was one of the first wines my wife bought for me.  I've been collecting them ever since.  They planted their vineyard in 1976 with extra plantings now covering 140 acres of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon. A brilliant move as I think it is the shining light of Cabernet in South Australia


Balnaves Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

Puckering tannins pull the wine effortlessly along my tongue with flavours of cedar, green peppercorns, pungent blackcurrant and dark chocolate.  It is marvelous that you can pick up such wines for such good prices.  I'm coming to the conclusion that Aussie Cab can go the distance.  If this was Shiraz it would have hit its peak but this baby is powering on.  Leave it alone and it will reward you handsomely. 


Alcohol: 14.5%
Price: $30
Rated: 89
Drink: 2014 - 2021