It’s that time again. Time to fill me in on what you’re currently drinking, what you want to drink, or what you have drunk in the last 4 weeks. And not just wine either – beer, particularly, but spirits, cider, RTDs. Tell me all of it.
This post has become a regular, highly enjoyable feature here at Australian Wine Review for two reasons:
a) I have just sent a bunch of wines off to auction, and my policy is to reinvest the dollars into more wines. Hence I’m looking for inspo beyond my usual sphere of tastings/samples etc.
b) Publishing reviews is a bit static. I want to hear someone else’s informed perspective for a change.
So, what are you buying and drinking?
Looking forward, I’m keen for some of the new 2019 Tissot releases, although with minuscule quantities available I feel like I’ve already missed the boat. I’m also eyeing off the new 2020 Standish wines because even though I don’t love the vintage, they’re great wines.
In other news, I almost bought some Droin Chablis the other day, but I baulked after seeing the prices ($130 for Vaucoupin. Ouch). With my first overseas trip in three years just a few weeks away (hello Portugal), I’ll also be filling my suitcase with things bought in Euros, so anything European (and reasonably available) feels like a waste.
In other news, I bought some Kientzler Riesling (love 2019 Alsace) and on the beer front, I’m absolutely loving the latest Mountain Culture Back to Cali WCIPA. An old fave, now on permanent rotation.
What about you?
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20 Comments
Hi Andrew,
Standish has become an annual buy for me, albeit a modest 6 pack.
Dan has something of a Midas touch, even in challenging vintages. Now if he could just turn his hand to Barossa Cabernet…….now that would be something.
Tried a Tim Smith Mataro recently…..lovely!
What a discovery !!!!
Currently sitting on a Wynns Harold Cabernet 2018, nice, but lacking a little tannin structure for me.
In the beer dept….Weihenstephaner cloudy wheat beer, personal favourite !!
Too cold in Melbourne for anything white, but never too cold for imported cloudy wheat beer. 😊
I love all of Tim’s wines. Grenache & Mataro are particular texturally hits. So good! I have to admit to being more of a Hoegaarden man than Weihenstephaner though. Cloudy wheat beer is delicious in any weather, I’m with you Colin!
Bought up big on Ross Hill Wines 21 Isabelle bdx blend and 21 Pinnacle Chardonnay on my recent trip up to Orange. Their entire range have really stepped it up a notch albeit from a high level with their new winemaking team driving quality skywards
Cider has been the focus of the last few weeks. We’re hopefully opening a micro wine shop & bar and would like to stock a small number of good with a capital G ciders. Apart from one from Limus (Mt Gambier) it looks like they’ll be French from La Ferme du Vastel (Normandy of course). Australia does not do cider well.
Broadly agree on the local cider. Appreciated the sidra in the Asturias a few years back – a very different texture and feel to it.
Tried some Heathcote gin recently – very nice! Specifically the raspberry one.
Also, have been enjoying Maddens Rise pinot noir. Not world-beating, but well put together, I really like their range actually, and the Arcobaleno is a great summer wine – waiting to crack that out again…
I was particularly impressed with everything I tasted at the Tertini cellar door in the Southern Highlands the other day but the reserve chardonnay was a standout. In a region awash with some very ordinary wines, and wineries, Tertini was an oasis in the desert. I also finally got around to drinking the one bottle of 2017 Bike & Barrel Chardonnay I picked up in Myrtleford a couple of months ago and am kicking myself for not buying more.
Just got back from Winter Wine Festival on Mornington Peninsula and came back with lots of Pinot from Scorpo, Dexter, Moorooduc and Stonier.
Hi Andrew
Winter in Tasmania has hit hard and last weekend I opened a 2015 St Hallett Blackwell Shiraz (my first of six bottles) and my second last 2015 Devils Lair Chardonnay. Both perfect, almost huggable, winter wines. The Blackwell, after a decent decant, was like drinking a mulberry pie; rich, dense almost chewy. The Devils Lair Chardonnay was is absolutely perfect if you like Chardy with a bit of age. Not over-oaked, it had just enough brioche notes whilst maintaining a core of apple and peach. Acidity was still apparent, nicely balancing in fact.
Buying wise, 2018 Howard Park ASW Cab Shiraz entered the depths of my cellar. Not hugely common that blend from the west, so if you’re looking for a quality point of difference, perhaps this might satisfy?
Such an underrated blend. I haven’t tasted this either. Like.
Quite a few sales going on
Bought – luke lambert syrah, ’21 sorrenberg gamay, some ’17 mount henry and etna rosso
Drank
’09 tyrrell’s Steven semillon- bloody gorgeous
’17 Fetherston nebbiolo – very pretty with some good tannic bite
’17 chapoutier chateauneuf du pape. Lovely expression and went well with French cuisine
Tyrrell’s stevens is a most underrated beast. I have heaps in the cellar because a) it’s delicious b) it’s affordable deliciousness.
Opened my first 2020 Isle Pinot by Jim Chatto last night. Delightfully delicate. 2021’s on their way to me this week.
Snapped up some 2012 Clarendon Hills Clarendon Grenache from Nick’s for immediate quaffing.
2018 Shottesbroke The Gate. Good buying but needs 5 years.
In the still decent overseas value wines, can’t go past 2018 and 2019 Chianti Classico from top producers . Monsanto, Querciabella for example are beautifully made mid weight wines.
Over autumn really enjoyed some 2019 and 2020 Muscadets, which with the ridiculous price now for Chablis is my go to for still great value and interesting oyster wines. Pepiere and Langelier have both been superb.
Agree on the Chianti, and Monsanto is a natural pick. I am a big Fontodi fan after visiting there many years ago, but the price has gone up dramatically in recent years.
Love Fontodi. Unfortunately now only drink them if go to winery or pick up some bottles retail in Italy. Also love Felsina but also now out of my price range.
On you return I’d encourage doing a few TNs on CCS.
21 Felton Road Pinots are impressive including a new single vineyard offering. Just got an order of Rivulet Pinots & S Blanc looking forward to trying .,,
Opened a 2010 Vasse Felix Heytsbury Chardonnay… superb length a year or two beyond it’s recommended drinking window.
Marius 2012 Shiraz’s are delicious right now.
Quite disappointed with many of the wine star hidden label wines on offer. Old and flat wines a pale imitation of former glories… just saying.
Beer wise, Bad Shepherd peanut butter porter and Riverside Othello’s Curse IIIPA also hitting the warm spot.
Mt Culture continuing to deliver with their fruit salad smoothy Neipas.
In a previous life I spent my days selling mystery wines and, on the whole, there are a lot of tired wines sold this way. Caveat emptor.
Speaking of “mystery wines”, I came across a couple of wines that are a mystery to me in that I have never had them before. Both are from Spain and made from grapes that I have never tasted before:
2015 Bodega y Vinedos Ponce ‘Buena Pinta, Moravia Agria/Garnacha, DOP Manchuela, Castilla-La Mancha (12.5%). Moravia may sound like a place in eastern Europe but the Moravia Agria is a rare variety that “produces light-coloured, fruity red wines with aromas of flowers, herbs and grasses”.
2020 Gaintza Txakolina, DO Getariako Txakolina (11.5%). This white is from the Basque country and is composed of 80% Hondarrabi Zuri, 15% Gros Manseng. Apparently the Hondarrabi Zure wines have intense aromas of pear and exotic fruits, as well as citrus, herbaceous and floral nuances, with notable acidity and a medium to moderate alcohol content.
There is always something new under the sun.