Reviewed: 11 November 2012
I was pleasantly surprised to see HSBC conducting a wine tasting in the Qantas Club, as there were some interesting wines on offer. There was a catch however. I had to enter a competition and am sure to be offered a variety of financial services in the not too distant future. I will let you know what I get signed up for. ☺
At the same time, some of the wines in the lounge were also better than the usual fare, so I thought I would look through their range and see what was worth drinking. I did not have long before take-off, so it is only first impressions here.
As this was not a blind tasting, my points are only a guide.
Reviewed
Seppelts – Chardonnay/Pinot Noir – The Drivers – NV. (16.5). Pleasant apple blossom and citrus with just a hint of bready aromas. There is a fresh and vibrant palate showing citrus and fresh fruit flavours. This is soft and very easy to drink, the dosage is sympathetic and there is even reasonable length on the close.
Tenuta Guado al Tasso – Vermentino – 2010 (17). Lovely complex aromas of stone-fruit, minerals and a touch of citrus over dense, nutty fruit. Quite rich and textured, with a degree of viscosity on the palate. There are some lees characters and a gentle creaminess to close. A smart wine that is more about texture than up front fruit. Ideally suited to food.
Wynns – Riesling – Coonawara – 2011 (17). Served very cold, but opens to show floral fruit and lovely fresh lime aromas. In fact this is quite expansive. The palate is taut and vibrant, with lemony acidity driving the creamy finish. Quite good intensity and length on a wine that should develop well in the short term. Underrated.
Oliver Leflaive – Chardonnay – Bourgogne – Les Setilles – 2009 (16.8). Obviously French in style. Subtle, creamy fruit showing apricot kernel over gentle minerality. The palate is creamy and expansive, with minerals and a touch of curry leaf to close. Well made, though not particularly dense, there is reasonable complexity. A very enjoyable drink.
Devils Lair – Chardonnay – The Hidden Cave – 2012 (NR). So fresh that the fruit has almost tropical aromas over the chardonnay-like peachy notes. The light and fresh palate has tropical fruit and a touch of creamy oak to close. This is, undoubtedly, a good wine, though I would like to see this in another 6 months as there are still some ester-like ferment characters showing on the finish (ripe banana).
Two Paddocks – Pinot Noir – Picnic – 2009 (17). Nice wine this! There is good depth to the fruit on the nose and reasonable weight also. Quite dark fruits with cherry, spice and a touch of earthy tar. The palate is fresh and vibrant, with more of those cherry fruit flavours. There is good length on the finish, though not overly complex, this is a good wine for early consumption.
Catena Zapata – Catena – Malbec – 2009 (17.5 – 18). There is really dense fruit on the nose. Mulberry, plum and tar comes to mind. The palate is bright, dense and delicious, the fruit being supported by dusty tannins and well-judged oak. Whilst perceptible, the oak is more texturing than an overt flavour. The wine builds in the mouth and has excellent length and mouth-feel. A wine to look out for.
Penfolds – Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon – Koonunga Hill – Seventy Six – 2010 (17.5). Lovely fruit on display here. Soft, round and compelling, tasting this wine is like greeting an old friend. There is quality fruit and textured oak, while the flavours are reminiscent of chocolate and plum with a touch of earthy complexity. The finish is a touch chewy from the fine, though noticeable tannins. Sure to age well.
Bailey’s of Glenrowan – Durif – Petite Sirah – 2010 (17.5). I am not sure where the “petite” comes from as this has dense fruit on the nose. Licorice, spice, black fruits and oak all vie for attention, though they are wrapped in a blanket of fine tannins. The length is excellent and this too is sure to improve for several years. (Durif is often referred to as petite sirah, especially in the US).