27 September 2009

A mixed bag, but with a couple of wines that are really drinking well. The Pemberley sauvignon blanc is a lovely drink, and the Silkwood pinot noir is a savoury wine with real appeal.

Reviewed

Pemberley of Pemberton – Sauvignon Blanc – 2009 (17.6). This is pretty special. Very pale colour. The nose has passion fruit concentrate with floral characters, musk and spice. The palate reminds me of passiona soft drink. Long with a touch of sherbet to close. (Very more-ish and perhaps deserving higher marks, but it is a sauvignon blanc after all).

Silkwood – Pinot Noir – 2005 (17.5). Complex earthy nose but with ripe red fruits apparent. Some cinnamon and spice too. The palate has bright red fruits and is both complex and long. The fruit really builds with air and the palate is long and fine. Fine tannin grip and savoury oak add to the savoury characters. This drank really well the next night. (Caveat – Sealed with a cork).

ReVeur – Pinot Noir – 2008 (17.3). Opens with fresh sour cherries and blackcurrant, with subtle oak adding complexity. The palate starts off quite closed with some toasty oak apparent. This is a refined wine that builds really sweet fruit with air. The finish is long and dense. A modern style and quite different to the Silkwood.

Port Phillip Estate – Sauvignon Blanc – 2008 (17). Grassy nose with gooseberry and asparagus. Quite developed in the mouth with creamy and textured mouth feel. A worked style with some oak input adding complexity. Would go well with food.

Otuwhero Estate – O:TU – Sauvignon Blanc – 2008 (16.9). Typical NZ style with lantana and tropical fruit. The palate is rich, textured and balanced. Really builds in the mouth with tropical fruit and a touch of pineapple. Long and viscous, this wine has poise. Perhaps a touch more developed than some.

Frogmore Creek – Pinot – 2006 (16.5). Dense, texture with dusty tannins. Oak seams to shut down the finish, but it may evolve.