It’s that time again. Time to inspire me to spend more money on drinks, even though the WineArk cabinet can’t be closed properly and the Amex is maxed out.
Actually, I’ve recently sent a case of wine to auction (there’s a Chanson Grand Cru Burgundy in the latest Langtons auctions), which means there is space in the cellar. Let’s fill it up again!
I’ve already started with some Peter Lauer Riesling (which I always love), and I’ll probably dip into some of the Latta recent releases as well…
What about you, what have you been buying this month?
On the drinking front, undoubtedly, the highlight was a Bindi Block 8 Pinot Noir 2021 which looked way too young but also delicious. It’s really quite a purple wine for Bindi with a profile that makes you wonder if there isn’t some Shiraz in the blend. I say that, but it’s still a proper Pinot, not some faux big red, complete with all these tomato juice fruit/spice contrasts. Don’t make the mistake of opening it now – come back in 2-3 years.
This Fleet Lichen Rosé 2023 also went down a treat, with a complexity and finesse often missing from local pink wine. I find some of the Fleet releases can be too delicate, but the Yarra rosé is spot on.
Speaking of pink wine, I really enjoyed the new Alkina Kin Pink Semillon 2023. 100% Barossan Semillon Gris, with some skin contact and barrel ferments for complexity. All strawberry chews with a little musk, there’s this wonderful texture/fragrance interplay here that feels less Semillon and more fancy rosé. It’s soft-edged, layered and interesting – just delicious.
What about you? What have you been drinking this January 2024?
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8 Comments
I could do with more of the Fighting Gully Road Sangiovese.
What vintage? Mark and Adrian have put heaps of work into their Sangio – not surprised its looking good
2022, which I think is the current one. It was highly recommended to me by Wine Culture.
Bought some Cantina Delsignore sparkling nebb and Lowestoft Pinot/Chardonnay
Tasting highlights split between 2018 Cardinale from Napa (wine dinner at Beau) and 2016 Coleraine (auction cheapish buy but brilliant). Also shout out to the Altera Terra reds, straight shiraz and the Pinot/Shiraz are great value drops especiallythe latter.
I have some 2016 Coleraine in the cellar – looking good? Coleraine is definitely a favourite in this house.
I’ve not had as much chance to try it especially not aged. Wish they used diam instead of cork as seepage on this one had already started (not quite to top of the cork but still)..
I thought it had this lovely insistence about it, savory but fruity, long finish too. Not sure when they’re meant to hit peak? 10 years? But this was very good. Glad I have some 19 and 20s stored away.
The annual Prince Wine Store 20% off sale is always hard to ignore.
Awaiting arrival of some favourites:
La Dama Vini Amarone 2018
Il Poggione Brunello Di Montalcino 2018
And AA Badenhorst Family Red blend 2020 (from Swartland in RSA).
Also just received latest Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier (still probably my preferred Aussie Shiraz).
The annual purchase of 3 x each of the Sami Odi Little wine and Hoffman Dallwitz. On the drinking front the standouts have been Hickinbotham Brooks Road Shiraz 2015 and a Koltz Pagan Shiraz 2013. The current vintages of Turkey Flat and Domenica Rose and Torzi Matthews Riesling are summer favourites and always seem to slip down way to easily in the humid weather in Sydney.