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 refreshing liquids have you been buying and drinking this month?
Not much has been purchased this month, possibly because there is wine in the loungeroom which Mrs Ozwinereview absolutely loves. There has been a flurry of wet hop beers from Bridge Road (I can’t miss the Dark Harvest), Mountain Culture & Dangerous Ales, but otherwise, minimal in and plenty out. I am sorely tempted to buy Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco 2021, though, because it’s delicious…
What about you? What have you been convinced to buy this month?
Speaking of Piedmont, if I had a much healthier bank balance (rather than just owing it all to said bank) I would giddily load up on the grand Massolino Vigna Rionda Riserva Etichetta Nera Barolo 2016 in the terrible photo above. This was open at a large Barolo/Barberesco tasting put on by fine wine importer Bibendum last week, which was heavy with unaffordable epicness. That Massolino has a grandiosity and magnificence of texture that feels more like First Growth Bordeaux, although with the $750 pricetag to match. In a much more old-school mode, a Cavalotto Bricco Boschis Barolo 2019 was a wonderfully lively, grainy, savoury and elegant expression of Barolo in a style that I just love drinking. I will be buying some of that.
Flipping back to drinkability, Matt East from Rouleur dropped by with a swag of new releases in tow last week and his 2024s are smahable and interesting. They also made it into this list as I had a quick sip of some half-empty bottles post-tasting and would easily drink much more. There’s a new Yarra fumé in the range that goes ok (second from right), but the real hero again is Matt’s super Rouleur McLaren Vale Grenache 2024 (which was a hit in 2022 as well), which manages to be lithe and refreshing without losing sight of the joy of ripe Vale Grenache.
A shout-out to the new Rouleur Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 2024 as well, which has this spiced strawberry fruit delicacy and a real sense of ripe liveliness. Indeed, that’s Matt’s signature I feel – understated wines, that are so carefully made and thoughtful, delivered at entirely affordable prices (you’re looking at sub $35 from his website for most of the range).
Surprisingly, I drank quite a few glasses of a Torbreck Old Vines GSM 2023 at one of the local distilleries (because yes, I drink beer and wine at distilleries) last week and quite enjoyed it. I can’t work out where the label fits into the local Torbreck lineup (it’s not Juveniles, labelled as ‘Old Vine’), but it was $55 off the list and super drinkable. Perhaps a little ‘made’, with a reductive edge to the bright Grenachey fruit, but entirely pleasant.
What about you? What drinks have you been surprisingly enjoying this month?
Help keep this site paywall free – donate here
You might also like
16 Comments
Quick dive down to McLaren and the Barossa and bought the following
Aphelion Grenache Blanc – the 10% portion in new Styrian oak lifts the wine incredibly
Bekker Chablis – amazingly good and their latest Clarendon Syrah release of course.
Eperosa 1858 Stonegarden Grenache
Standish Relic, Schubert and Lamella (another Stonegarden product)
Hayes Prayer Garden, Glengrae and Smart grenache.
Stand out tastings
2005 Izway Bruce – amazingly fresh for 20 years old
2015 Izway Don – absolutely in the window.
2016 Torbreck Grower’s Cut Shiraz – courtesy of Adrian Hoffmann
Lots of Grenache in that list Richard (and lots of Stonegarden!). I really like those Izway wines – Craig is doing an excellent job.
I’m a Grenache fiend – have been for 30 years.
Got to taste the individual components of Izway ’24 Syrah range and they look impressive.
The Aphelion Blanc was the biggest surprise of all.
I would appreciate any suggestions for Alentejo and Douro wineries, heading there in three weeks.
I’ve had pretty mixed experiences with most Douro wineries with few that I’d recommend. Some great port experiences in Porto though. Also plenty of recommendations if you’re going south to Bairrada
Just back from a brief European jaunt. Highlights were drinking wonderful 2022 Mosel Riesling from Franzen and Von Volxham including GG’s from Bremmer Calmont and Neefer Frauenberg. Sat in on a brilliant tasting run by Clemens Busch with so many highlights. The different effect of the grey, red and blue slate growing conditions was just so ,so interesting. Also drank delicious 2022 Corbieres blends from Grenache, Syrah and Carignane from the Castelmaure co-op in Southern Franc near Perpignan. A 2011 Eiswein from Mayer was sensational. A 1989 La Lagune was a beautifully preserved delight.
Incredibly jealous Tony – I’ve not been to the Mosel and some fascinating terroir pieces as you say.
Also, there is so much underrated Corbieres out there.
Tasting highlights: Pyramid Valley Angel Flower ’22 – such a captivating pinot for the perfume alone plus the follow up on the palate, beautiful drop at Roca in Christchurch (cheaper than AUD retail by the bottle too!). Sammarco ’16 was also a great Italian Super-Tuscan, tannin quality a real highlight.
Bought: Sorrenberg Gamay, Bindi Block 5 and some 2019 Sammarco at a decent discount
Glad to hear the Angel Flower is looking good – there was a dip there for a few years at the end of the Weersing era.
Since it’s still May, here’s a list of the chardonnays I’ve drank in the last few months.
I always enjoy reading your chardonnay reviews and recommendations
The first bracket I would happily buy again. The second bracket were disappointing (relative to high expectation in some cases) despite the presence of some illustrious names and very well regarded wines. Maybe a couple of these were simply too young to really enjoy now? I also bought the Tiers 2022 and I’m not going to touch it for a couple of years I think. I might also skip the entire 2023 Chablis vintage if they are all stonefruit dominant.
regards
glyn
Gentle Folk, Picadilly Chardonnay, 2023
Mac Forbes, Gembrook Chardonnay, 2022
Kooyong Farrago Chardonnay, 2022
Gentle Folk Chardonnay, 2024
Famille Gueguen Chablis, 2021
Dalwhinnie Moonambel Chardonnay, 2020′
Cyril Gautheron Chablis, 2022
Tapanappa Tiers 1.5m Chardonnay, 2022
Yeringberg Chardonnay, 2021
Two Hands, Hell Freezes over Chardonnay, 2022
Rijckaert Arbois Chardonnay sue les Marnes, 2018
Dalrymple Pipers River Chardonnay, 2021
Deep Woods Estate Reserve Chardonnay, 2022
Jean Marc Brocard Chablis, 2023
Coincidentally I had a load of 2023 Chablis yesterday (including the Gautheron – a bargain) and yes it’s a very forward year with plenty of ripe melon flavour. Hang out for the 2024s – they’re going to be super minerally (if uneven).
Nomads Garden 2024 Fiano. Would definitely have again. Nice pear like flavour and great value. I would
I’ve also had the Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Both smashable as you would say, with preferring the Meunier. Great value again.
Also had 2019 Stoniers Windmill Pinot Noor and a 2019 Lethbridge Mietta. They were very different and enjoyable but I enjoyed the Mietta the most.
I have more of the Nomads Garden samples coming soon too!
And add 2022 Tertini Pinot to the list. Very enjoyable. Liked it more than the 2019 Bream Creek Reserve I had a could have weeks back which I had forgotten about.
Bought
Houghton Gladstone 2020
Heirloom alambra 2023
Hewitson cask 66 Shiraz 2023
Hardy’s VIII 2016
Drank
2018 Byron and Harold gravity cab sav
2017 forest hill cab sav
2018 kilikanoon Kelly’s Grenache
2018 barringwood sparkling
2019 planta circa ancestor vine Shiraz
2015 sidewood estate Shiraz
2014 deep woods estate cab sav Merlot
How was the Deep Woods looking?