Reviewed: 2 January 2011
This was a fascinating tasting with a large variety of grapes and styles. All of the reviewed wines represent an interesting alternative to the mainstream wines that dominate the market.
The highlight for the panel was the three wines from Lillypilly. These are high quality desert wines that possess a degree of lightness and balance that makes them a delight to drink.
Reviewed
Lillypilly – Noble Blend – 2008 (18.2). Restrained on the nose, this is very youthful and has remarkable lavender aromas. There is, again, that lovely balance of apricot and orange, with a freshness that makes this a delight to drink. Superb length and mouth-feel with the finish fanning out and evolving for more than a minute. Excellent wine!
Lillypilly – Noble Blend – Family Reserve – 2002 (18). Richer colour suggesting more bottle age. A bigger, richer wine with more complexity and greater length. The palate is viscous and mouth-coating, with lovely acidity preventing the finish from becoming cloying. Apricot jam and marmalade fruit to close. A lovely aged wine. (This is still available from the winery).
Lillypilly – Noble Harvest – 2006 (17.5). Sweet ripe apricots to the fore, with complex orange marmalade notes. Perfumed, this has a lightness the belies the style. Fresh and balanced, the moderate sweetness is balanced by fresh acidity. Has a lovely honeyed finish of some length. Not as much intensity as the 2008, but a lovely drink.
Tyrrell”s – Semillon – Brookdale – 2011 (17). Straw and lemon on a reserved and restrained nose, this has lovely poise and balance. Needs a few years to open up and show its fruit.
Yering Station – Marsanne/Viognier/Rousanne – MVR – 2009 (17). Complex nose with apricot, orange peel, honey and cashew nut. Very complex, yet refined palate that is long and has well judged phenolics and viscosity. The best wine here from a textural component and European in style. Drink now.
Voyager Estate – Chenin Blanc – 2011 (16.8). This wine took me by surprise. Very neutral nose initially, this became quite floral with air. The palate has both depth and breadth. Racy acidity adds to the package and the touch of sweetness fleshes out the finish.
Redbank – Garganega – 2010 (16.7). Another neutral wine that has plenty of life on the palate. Again, it is the fresh acidity that carries the palate. Good length and mouth-feel too. Has some character.
De Bortoli – Verdelho – “Deen” Vat 6 – 2010 (16.5). Perfume, pear skin, apricot, orange peel and musk. Lovely palate that combines crisp acidity with almond meal and fresh fruit. Good length, the hint of residual sugar adds balance and makes this a great drink.
Tyrrell”s – Semillon – Lost Block – 2011 (16.5). More zest and fruit up front compared to the Brookdale. The palate has lovely, lemony fruit. Quite textured, this has excellent fruit weight and length. Good value alternative to a sauvignon blanc.
Yalumba – Vermentino – The Y Series – 2011 (16.5). This is an interesting wine, with aromatic qualities similar to the Alsatian varieties. The palate is quite neutral, but with excellent acidity and good length. Mouth-watering, so would suit food well. Another good value wine from Yalumba.
Ulacia – Zuri/Beltza – 2010 (16). I was surprised to see this had frizzante when poured. Fresh and floral, this has none of the sweetness I was initially expecting. Bone dry, the palate is very drying and long. Indigenous Spanish white grapes. One to confuse your wine friends with.