by Martin Field
Miceli Iolanda Pinot Grigio 2005 – up to $20 – \_/\_/\_/
Mornington Peninsula, Victoria. Grassy, lemon nose. Citric characters dominate the palate leaving a mid-weighted pleasant tang.
Hungerford Hill Hunter Valley Semillon 2006 – up to $23 – \_/\_/\_/\_/
New South Wales. Aromatic passionfruit, and citrus bouquet. Dry, elegant style showing kiwi fruit and passionfruit – almost sauvignon blanc flavours. Lovely acidity leads to a dry finish. Use as aperitif or with entrées.
Jim Barry The Florita Clare Valley Riesling 2005 – up to $45 – \_/\_/\_/\_/
South Australia. Intense lime flower and lemon sherbet nose. Pervading lime juice flavours, steely acid and a very dry lemon zesty finish make for a highly enjoyable dry white. Cellar to 2012.
Tulloch Chardonnay 2006 – up to $15 – \_/\_/\_/$
Hunter Valley, New South Wales. Peachy sweetish nose, hint of oaky vanilla. Yummy ‘apricot Danish’ taste and a smooth and satisfying mouth feel. Long pleasing aftertaste and pleasing acid structure.
Hamiltons Bluff Sangiovese 2004 – up to $18 – \_/\_/\_/
Canowindra, New South Wales. Mid-black cherry hues. Savoury, ripe, spicy aromatics on the nose. Strong elements of blackberry conserve and anise on the palate, supported by soft tannins and a warm alcoholic finish. Would suit well-seasoned main courses.
La Testa Shiraz Grenache Cabernet 2001 – up to $28 – \_/\_/\_/\_/
McLaren Vale, South Australia. Mid-ruby hues. Plums and liquorice and toasty oak on the nose. Developed complex palate of soft integrated tannins supporting dark chocolate, short black, liqueured plums and vanilla. Good dining wine.
Yalumba The Signature Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz 2002 – up to $46 – \_/\_/\_/\_/\_/
Eden Valley and Barossa Valley, South Australia. Dense crimson. Attractive lifted nose of blackcurrants and dusty oak. Fine example of premium Barossa sweet fruit: extravagant ripe berries, just right tannic astringency, oaky vanilla and a warm chocolatey finish. Moreish.
Warrabilla Reserve Durif 2005 – I paid $24.99 – \_/\_/\_/
Rutherglen, Victoria. Purple to back in colour. Nose reminded me a little of an Australian vintage port style. A huge soft fruity wine full of blackberry flavours and showing considerable alcoholic (15.5%) warmth. I served the wine masked and the tasters agreed that they’d have preferred more tannin and acid to complement the sweet fruit. Cellar to 2010.
Spitbucket rating system
Five spitbuckets: \_/\_/\_/\_/\_/ – brilliant
Four: \_/\_/\_/\_/ – classy
Three: \_/\_/\_/ – good drinking
Two: \_/\_/ everyday drinking
One: \_/ – spit it!
$ denotes excellent value for money.
Prices in Australian dollars.