Good Value New Releases
Barry Weinman: 10th December 2015
The panel found a variety of wines over the last few weeks that we either great value drinking, or really interesting. Okay, so the Flowstone are not cheap, but they are interesting wines.
Here are some of the highlights.
Flowstone – Chardonnay – Queen of the Earth – 2012 (18). The fruit is quite accessible on the nose, with peach and nectarine giving way to pineapple. The palate is fine and elegant, with the supple oak closing down the fruit at present. Give it another year or two to open up. (RRP $55).
Hollick – Chardonnay – The Bard – 2014 (17.5). Fairly gentle fruit on the nose, with taut grapefruit and blood orange aromas. The palate works a treat, with pineapple, stone fruit, creamy oak, and good length. The citrus-like acidity really drives the finish. Delicious white for this summer with or without food. (RRP $18).
Singlefile – Chardonnay – Run Free – 2014 (17). Restrained nose and palate, with neutral aromas and flavours. With air, the gentle stone fruit characters come to the fore. The mouth-feel is a highlight. Give it a year or two for the lemony fruit to open up. (RRP $25).
Nocton Vineyard – Pinot Noir – N1 – 2012 (17.5+). Delicious fruit on the nose. The palate is soft and supple, with gentle structure and acid. Lacks the ultimate depth of the very best, but this is a lovely drink. From the Coal River Valley in Tasmania. (RRP $38).
Nocton Vineyard – Pinot Noir – Coal River Valley – 2013 (17). Hints of earth and minerality over dark berry fruit notes. More structure to the fruit on the palate, with red currant, berries, licorice and spice. Slight char from the oak adds complexity. Good value drinking (RRP $26).
Flowstone – Cabernet Sauvignon – Queen of the Earth – 2011 (18+). Lovely depth and density to the fruit here. The nose is subtle and fine, with hints of sweet berry and subtle spice. The palate is drying and savoury, the core of fruit perfectly balanced by the oak and fine tannins. Near seamless and very long. (RRP $60).
Cross Stitch – Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon – 2014. (17). Ripe and delicious fruit. Plump, fruit-forward palate with cedary oak, fine tannins and just enough grip to make the finish interesting. The fruit is not overly dense, but this will be good easy drinking over the summer months.
Shottesbrooke – GSM – 2014 (17). A crowd-pleasing wine that has gentle plum and mulberry fruit over soft tannins and rounded acidity. Made for early consumption, this is a great alternative to have with roast beef. (RRP $20).
Shingleback – Shiraz – Davey Estate – Reserve – 2013 (18). Seductive nose that combines dense, earthy fruit with hints of licorice. In the mouth, the fruit is dense and ripe, without appearing heavy. Slightly chewy tannins and oak add interest to the long finish. Another cracking wine from this in-form producer. (RRP $23).