New releases from some old favourites...Spinifex, Koltz, Massena and more!
25 February 2009
Whilst it’s not quite ‘Big-Red’ drinking weather yet, some of our favourite Aussie wines have just been released and we can't possibly drink them all by ourselves. There has been a few so brace yourselves for a big one!
Spinifex
2007 Spinifex Shiraz Viognier @ $50
Hot off the heels, of winning Penguin Wine Guide "Winery of the Year", and "Wine of the Year" for the '06 Esprit, the Spinifex team have created another stunner with their principal wine. From the outset this wine draws you into the glass, with fresh, bright and shiny blackberries and rose petals. A full bodied, tightly structured wine; dark plums dominates the palate with the first sip, and it wasn't until the wine had been triple decanted that it really showed its class. Flavour profile is one thing, but wait until you 'feel' this wine - the texture is quite extraordinary. Another "wine of the year" perhaps?!
More from Spinifex
Koltz
2007 Koltz 'Pagan' Shiraz @ $50
The 'Pagan' has now achieved cult status in SA for Mark Day and his Koltz label... for good reason too as it's damn good booze and there's not much made! Mark has hand picked a selection of Shiraz from his Blewitt Springs vineyard and dried them on racks for six weeks in the Italian “appasimento” style. These dark, shrivelled little raisins yield a super rich, super intense, concentrated juice that is unlike any Shiraz we have ever seen. There are layers and layers of rich, deep, dark berry fruit, and rum and raisin chocolate, tightly bound in a sumptuous, silken structure. Lurking within however are many dark, complex, savoury notes of asphalt, crushed ants, gunpowder and rich, dark soy; the more you look the more you find. Once you've tried, you'll never look back...
More from Koltz Wines
Massena
2007 Massena The Eleventh Hour Shiraz @ $37
Back to basics, and back to their best with the 2007 'Eleventh Hour' for the Massena crew. These young lads, off a difficult vintage (but a vintage not to write off) have created a lifted and very bright Barossa beauty. So much charm, vibrancy and energy to be seen here with a definite 'new-school' feel, Massena Wines are really hitting their strides. Mid-palate fruit sweetness grabs you yet manages to avoid being struck with jam. The '07 Eleventh Hour is a clever and modern Barossa Shiraz with tonnes of fruit and personality.
While you’re thinking Massena, check out their new 08 Barbera @ $22, a punchy, powerful fruit bomb, still with the high acid hallmarks Barbera does so well.
Classy Imports
2006 Roberto Voerzio Langhe Nebbiolo @ $70
Simply put, Roberto Voerzio is one of the superstars of Piedmont and has achieved cult status amongst the wine world. While his Barolo isn’t cheap (in fact, they're outrageously expensive) the Langhe represents amazing value... 'affordable' even (well if you put it in the right context). Yields are kept low, so the resulting wine is powerful and assertive but the real joy are the tannins! The wonderful tannins! If you are scared of mouth puckering, dry reds then this isn't for you but if Nebbiolo is your thing then this will surely excite. The Vietti Perbacco Nebbiolo (another fave at EEC) stands as one of the best value Italians on the market and if you wish to upgrade, the Voerzio won't disappoint. Amazing value in every sense!
2006 Poggiotondo Chianti Superiore @ $25
We’re always happy when we find a new, great value Italian, as there is a good chance it will be on the dinner table at least once a week. The Poggiotondo has power, yet is elegant enough with a fleshy but drinkable palate. A Chianti with a bit of weight rather than the ‘brickiness’ of old. It is deep ruby in colour with pleasant red berry fruit aromas followed by hints of chocolate and tobacco. It’s rich, dense, has intense ripe juicy tannins, an excellent mid palate with a sweet and long after taste.
2006 Perrin Vinsobres 'Les Cornuds' @ $28
The Perrin family is synonymous with the Rhône Valley and if you like this appellation and old-school is your thing, then the ’06 Perrin is a steal.
"Ripe, rich and racy Rhône red, with an ample core of black currant, fig paste, hoisin sauce and graphite, backed by dark coffee, mesquite and mineral notes on the long, structured finish." Drink now through 2011.—J.M. Smart Buys. 91 points, WineSpectator Sept.30, 2008
You can order online by clicking the links above or download this order form to place an offline order.
This Friday we will be tasting the new 2007 Pagan along side a few other Aussie 'Amarone' interpretations. So why not drop by from 5-7pm...
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