Reviewed: 20 February 2013
Whilst the Xanadu Next of Kin was, by far, the best wine of the chardonnay bracket, The De Bortoli colombard/chardonnay was the big surprise. Good fruit, excellent winemaking and a ridiculously low price. An interesting and worthwhile alternative to cheap sauvignon blanc.
With the cabernets, the Howard Park was in a league of its own (thought the Woody Nook was knocking on the door). The value wine though was the Devils Lair – Fifth Leg.
To finish off, the Vat 5 by Deen De Bortoli reaffirmed its claim as a stunning bargain when it comes to dessert wine.
Reviewed
De Bortoli – Chardonnay – Sacred Hill – 2012 (16). Bursting with flavours reminiscent of ripe stone fruit. The clean and fresh palate is simple and straightforward, but the hints of nuttiness round out the finish. Great value commercial wine that is to drink not think.
De Bortoli – Colombard/Chardonnay – Sacred Hill – 2012 (16,3). A nice wine that is clean and fresh, with grapefruit and lemony flavours. There is enough acidity to keep the palate lively and refreshing and there is good length and balance. I would happily drink a glass of this on a warm afternoon. Stunning value at less than $7.00 on special.
Xanadu – Chardonnay – Next of Kin – 2011 (17). A real step up in terms of fruit quality, weight and texture. The winemaking here is also more expansive and generous, with some lees and barrel influence adding depth and texture to the fruit. The long and fleshy finish displays excellent oak handling.
Howard Park – Cabernet Sauvignon – Abercrombie – 2010 (18 – 18.5+). Wow, the fragrant violet and red currant fruit on the nose is hauntingly beautiful. Opens to show hints of vanillin oak and cedar that complements the fruit well. The palate is dense, tight, long and fine. Whilst the tannins are palpable, they are remarkably fine and silky. The fruit quality here is superb and the winemaking first grade. Whilst refined and elegant now, this needs 10+ years to see it peak. Superb wine!
Woody Nook – Cabernet Sauvignon – Gallagher’s Choice – 2010 (18+). Cedar and spice to the fore, but develops superb varietal fruit with air. Quite closed and tight, this needs to open up to show its best. Initially presents as leaner style and will certainly be a good accompaniment to food over the next 5 years This will however blossom in 10 years. Excellent wine.
Devil’s Lair – Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz/Merlot – Fifth Leg – 2011 (17). This wine has concentrated ripe fruit on both the nose and palate. There is an almost mocha like flavour (from the shiraz) running over the juicy/succulent fruit. Cassis is the dominant flavour and while not obviously Margaret River in style, this is dense, long and quite opulent.
De Bortoli – Semillon – Vat 5 – Botrytis – 2008 (17). Sweet marmalade fruit on the nose. The palate has more of the same, with decent acidity to balance the long finish. This wine is viscous, dense and totally delicious. Whilst I do not quite see how this beat its big brother, the Noble One, for a trophy recently, it is a brilliant wine at the price.