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 four weeks. And not just wine but beer, whisky, cocktails, sherry, everything.
I haven’t bought much lately because I’ve been working through an overflowing cellar instead. First-world problems, hand me the world’s tiniest violin etc. Amongst the bounty to come out of the WineArk cabinet, however, were these two seriously sensational white wines worth mentioning. A pair of charismatic and utterly delicious drinks that I would love to have more of…
The 2009 Tyrrell’s Vat 1 Semillon is another reminder that everyone should buy and drink more grand Hunter Semillon. There’s this unreal contrast in the middle-aged (10-20 year old) Sems that is so alluring – on the one hand, intense, powerful, sometimes uncompromising green apple lemon citrus fruit, all cached in shedloads of acidity, and taut in it lines. FRESHNESS! Overlaying the primary fruit and acidity comes a of secondary, bottle-aged interest. Toasted nuts, custard powder, lanolin, and just a little honey (but not honey sweetness). Combine the two in the same mouthful and BANG! You have a white wine that is satisfying in its freshness and low alcohol vitality, yet with multiple levels of flavour.
I’m a massive fan. I like the 09s too – a flattering vintage, ready to drink now, but with the perfect lines of a classic vintage. 09 was superb for Hunter Semillon (but problematic for reds due to rain), and it shows here. Ready to drink now, but also with decades left if you want to wait, the 2009 Tyrrell’s Vat 1 Semillon is right up there. 96 points if we’re scoring (which I didn’t, I was drinking it).
For the second course, the 2019 Cobaw Ridge Chardonnay still felt tight and lean and lithe in that proud Macedon style. Yet, the extra coats of winemaking and ripe fruit gave this a bit more volume – well enough white peach creaminess to offset the typically sprightly acidity. This is a satisfying, tight-but-full-bodied white, with this nuanced, acid-framed style that would shame plenty of Chablis (for less dollars too). 95 points, all day long.
Meanwhile, there has been the usual flow of beer through the door, too. Plenty of Hawkers West Coast IPA (my house staple), more of the Eden Brewery range (I like the Argania Bock), a few Mountain Culture Status Quo Pale Ales and some super aromatic Hop Nation Paradise Valley Hotel WCIPA (which is still in the ‘like but not love’ bucket). Loved my last few cans of the Range Brewing White Lotus DDH IPA, though – a real highlight. Such precision and flavour! By contrast, the Range Brewing Frequently Asked Questions Cali IPA was the answer to any of my questions question. Flavourless, broad – I had to check the can to see if it was old. But it wasn’t – just underwhelming.
What about you? What have you been drinking?
Leave a Reply