Reviewed: 15 January 2013
This tasting was an opportunity to look at all the odds and sods that have been sitting on the tasting bench for the last month or two, looking for an appropriate tasting. The first challenge when tasting these blind was to try and work out what I was bench-marking them against.
The wines that have made it to this review all represent excellent current drinking. I also have a suspicion that the Deep Woods verdelho will age very well if someone wants to have a punt.
Reviewed
Deep Woods – Verdelho – Verde – 2012 (17). Fresh and vibrant fruit here. This is a wholesome and lively wine with plenty of appeal. An excellent stand-alone wine to be served cold on a warm day. (Early picked, whole bunch pressed, 12.5%).
Shingleback – Viognier – John Foolery – 2012 (17). This opens with quite pretty aromatics, minerals and fragrant spice. Apricot comes to the fore on the palate, with lovely clean fruit and cleansing acidity. Long and savoury, this is a smart wine.
Angove – Pinot Grigio – Long Row – 2012 (16.8). Pear, almond and spice on the nose. The palate is very neutral and more about texture and mouth-feel rather than overt fruit. The acid really brings this to life on the close and the length is good. This is a very good example of a grigio style and is well suited to food. I do not know how Angove produce wines of this quality for $10!
Yalumba – Viognier – Y Series – 2012 (16.8). Musk, stonefruit and herbal notes on both the nose and palate. This is a really interesting wine, with grassy notes over apricot fruit flavours. Quite powerful in the palate, this has excellent length and real depth, though there is some phenolic grip to close.
De Bortoli – Pinot Gri etc. – La Boheme – Act Three – 2012 (16.6). The nose has quite spicy and bright fruit, with musk, ripe pear and lychee aromas. The palate is quite ripe and textured and finishes quite soft and supple with good acid balance. An easy wine to like.
Lindeman’s – Pinot Grigio – Bin 85 – 2012 (16.4). Subtle spiciness on the nose with musk and nectarine. Very viscous, this has admirable life and vitality, especially given its budget price. The fruit is quite powerful and complemented by plenty of acid. The finish is a touch sharp, but is not unpleasant. Remarkably good for the price, this will be best served quite cold.
Bella Riva – Pinot Grigio/Vermentino – 2012 (16.3). Gentle and soft ripe fruit on the nose. The palate is soft and round, with enough acidity to keep the finish fresh. The touch of phenolic richness adds texture. This is a good mid-afternoon drink.