Domaine Chandon Blanc de Blancs 2009

The average day time temperature in Champagne during the critical ripening period is 18 degrees Celsius with the night time period dropping below 10 degrees. The Yarra Valley isn't too different but the night times don't drop as low which may mean  that the Australian versions may not have the same acidity as there French counterparts.

Domaine Chandon Blanc de Blancs 2009

I must admit I do love a Blanc de Blanc as the flavours can be loving yet chiselled at the same time. This wine is definitely that with hugs of yeasty oven roasted bread and toasted almonds before a wave of preserved grapefruit and crème fresh come splashing in. The ease of flavour goodness and texture is brilliant but it is the vibrant acidity that holds everything together that is most satisfying. This wine could be served as a starter to get the conversation started or as the main meal it is that versatile.

Alcohol: 12.5%
Price: $35
Rated: 92
Drink: Now - 2017

Three sets of bubbles

None-vintage sparkling I believe are the best representation of what the house is all about.  The vintage variation gets blended away and the winemaker ends up producing the style that they are after. Now for the bottom of the range I am not sure what that looks like but for the big boys it can be very enchanting to get your hands on the NV as it gives a glimpse into what to expect. 

Patritti Brut NV 

There is a nice brut aroma that you would expect from a wine at about the 20 buck mark flowing from this  wine so I could sit back and smell this for a while before tucking in. There are those nutty zesty notes mixed with citrus and a richer element working from the front palate on. On the palate the wine fades but at this price this is a steal. Literally this beats wines at twice the price.

Alcohol: 12%

Price: $4.80

Rated: 81

Drink: Now 

Tyrrell's Wines Old Winery Brut NV 

The Old Winery wine is a little dilute but it has some fruitiness that works well. The wine seems light and lemony on entry but it turns sweet from just after the front palate. While the finish was dry, the wine seemed a bit narrow yet still had a bit of interest with the flavour profile. 

Alcohol: 12.5%

Price: $13

Rated: 80

Drink: Now

De Bortoli Emeri Pink Moscato NV 

Turn up the sweetness and hung me when you are nude! This wine makes me want to run free in the meadows as the flavours of musk stick and candied strawberries run wild. It is more than the flavours as this wine tastes more grapey than it does winey but I guess that is the very low alcohol talking. Smash me now.

Alcohol: 8%

Price: $14

Rated: 82

Drink: Now 

Pieropan Soave Classico 2009

Pieropan is one of the best producers of Soave in Veneto. They have been working hard to produce a more refined version of this variety with an emphasis on texture and vibrancy. This variety is naturally high in acidity  but sees a little winemaker influence such as lees stirring to increase the mouth feel.

Pieropan Soave Classico 2009

Beautiful notes of almond meal, grapefruit, glazed flowers and river pebbles start this wine off. The wine is very smash-able for an entry level wine with the almonds taking the main role and I guess that is what everyone is after for a wine of this price. The wine seems to float down my tongue yet coats my taste buds with delight. I don't know how they do it but Italy seems to produce wines of lightness with texture and interest. Australia, or countries that are on the hotter side, should focus on producing this sort of wine as it offers so much. While this is not up to the normal standard for the label it offers beautiful drinking in the shorter term at a brilliant price.

Alcohol: 12%
Price: $30
Rated: 89
Drink: Now - 2016

3 Dark Horses Grenache 2011

This venture is run by Matt Broomhead who used to be the wine-maker at Coriole. He has managed to find top quality vineyards in McLaren Vale that produce rich wines with elements of elegance. This is a new label that is one to watch.


3 Dark Horses Grenache 2011

McLaren Vale has managed to produce more European wines in 2011 but they still retain those gorgeous regional elements. To begin with this wine is dry and savoury with notes of boot polish, raspberries, spice and charcuterie. The wine is light to medium bodied with a set of dry tannins sitting underneath the flavours. The oak is still a little dominant at this stage but give it a year or two and it should resolve itself.

Alcohol: 14%
Price: $25
Rated: 86
Drink: 2014 - 2020

Casa Coller Extra Dry Prosecco NV

Casa Coller Extra Dry Prosecco NV

This is your typical Prosecco with light and crisp flavours of pear juice and spice. During the hotter months, such as January, when the temperature hits above 40 degrees Celsius the thing that I would reach for to cool me down would be a wine of this style. Why? Well the wine has an aperitif style that invigorates my saliva glands and gets them going. It is not a wine to contemplate rather a wine to stimulate the senses and get the party going.

Alcohol: 11.5%
Price: $10
Rated: 83
Drink: Now
Importer: Options Wine Merchant

Freycinet Vineyards Chardonnay 2011

The Freycinet Peninsula is located on the east side of Tasmania in what is a rather hotter area than is normally associated with the region. In general they seem to be able to make European style Riesling and Pinot of character.

Freycinet Vineyards Chardonnay 2011

Nothing is out of place in this wine and at this stage the wine seems coiled up and tight. The oak has already been absorbed in to the body of this full bodied beast so the peach, grapefruit, struck quartz and pineapple juice are the main gladiators of the show. The power of the flavours is off set by the restraint of the structure and acidity but everything seems meaningless as the transition of each component works so well.  I would be stashing this away as the wine opened up over the four say I tasted it, each and every time I went back.

Alcohol: 13.5%
Price: $30
Rated: 93
Drink: 2017 - 2025

Claymore Wines London Calling Merlot 2010

The label for this wine is rather impressive. It harks me bank to the song by the Clash which I would say was a punk band back in the 70s or 80s.

Claymore Wines London Calling Merlot 2010

This tastes more like a Clare wine than a merlot but I guess that is a good thing. On the nose there is mint and eucalyptus mixed with plum and chocolate sauce. This medium bodied wine has plenty of flavour, good length but not much tannin which is normal for this variety in Australia. There is a little alcohol heat from the mid-palate on so I would suggest that this should be drunk during colder weather.

Alcohol: 13.8%
Price: $20
Rated: 84
Drink: Now - 2016