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.
So, what wine, beer and other drinks have you been buying this month?
This month, I dipped into more German Riesling, including some of the Loosen Auslese and other bits. I also missed Giaconda allocations (sold out in sub 10 minutes, again?), but this is perhaps a good thing as we need to sell wine (probably Australian Shiraz) to make space as the wine stack is spilling into the lounge room.
First-world problems and all that.
In beery news, I loved the snappy sessionability of the Range LA Vibes Californian IPA (above), and there is a new Bridge Road Dark Harvest collection that should turn up any day now.
Speaking of sessionable, this 2023 Nomads Garden Skin Contact White is one of the more affable orange wines I’ve crossed this year, although arguably too polished to fit the natural wine narrative.
What about you? What drinks have floated your boat/filled your cellar this month?
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11 Comments
Hi Andrew,
Bought:-
Giant Steps, Tarraford Chardonnay, 2020
Jonathan Didier Pabiot, Pouilly Fumé Leon, 2020
Saumaize-Michelin, Saint Veran, 2020
Peter Lauer Ayler, Riesling Fass 25, 2020
Stefano Lubiana, Pinot Noir, 2019
Drank:-
Champagne Jacquart, Brut Mosaique
Perriet Jouet, Blason Rose
Marie de Moy
Stefano Lubiana, Chardonnay, 2022
Chablis Premier Cru Les Vaillons, Vocoret et fils, 2021
Alain Gras Saint, Romain, 2019 (corked)
Heggies Estate Riesling, 2022
Domaine Clarendon, BDX, 2017
Apsley Gorge, Pinot Noir, 2020
Hugues Pavelot, Chorley Les Beaunes, 2017
What was looking good from that assortment?
Everything was fine, but nothing put forward a convincing argument that I buy it again, except perhaps for the Jacquart. In fact, the Bourgogne pinot was a little disappointing, past its best already.
Bought – lot of Beechworth. Giaconda release, sorrenberg and a bit of Traviarti (best nebb in Aus still imo)
Tasting highlights – Commando G grenache (like Alpine nebbiolo but it’s own beast. This was the entry level and just brilliant), altera terra shiraz release (one of our best set of cool climate expressions), Grace Koshu Private Reserve ’20 (obvious but this’ll go so well with Japanese, the step up is really clear imo) and Prophets Rock pinot gris (walks that tightrope between breadth of flavour and maintaining good acidity really well, just delicious)
I haven’t had the fancy Grace Koshu before! Awesome
Visited Oakdene in the Bellarine a couple of weekends back. Bought some Pinot Grigio, Peta’s Pinot & Wiliam Shiraz. The place has itself has its own quirky style which I think works well.
There is so much hidden diversity down in the Bellarine (although also plenty of overpriced wines)
Subtracted – Polperro 2021 Pinot, Brokenwood 2021 Indigo Beechworth Chardonnay(absolute cracker), Montes Alpha 2019 Malbec,
Added – (dibs for your direction) Current release – Curly Flat Pinot and Chardonnay, Sorrenberg 2023 Sav/Sem. Yangarra Premium 6 pack (just landed)
I have the Yangarra premiums on route for tasting too
Bought some Beechworth, skipped the Giaconda release and went for
Savaterre Chardonnay 2022
Traviarti Nebbiolo 2022
Domenica Nebbiolo 2022
Drank some Beechworth this month just to continue the theme
Domenica Chardonnay 2015
Golden Ball Saxon Shiraz 2015
Beechworth Estates Tannat 2016
How was the Donenica looking?