(W) Casal Mendes: Vinho Verde, from Portugal

Smell
Early: Green and unripe (due to acid?) with grasses and a little unripe white stone fruit.
Later: Fresh grasses & riper white-fleshed fruits

Taste
The wine has a bit fizz, which puts the acidic nose in context. As with most sparkling and spritzy wines (excluding the sweets like Moscato), the mouthfeel is quite dry, however this wine is a bit bland and has no real character. By the end of the bottle the dryness has faded and is becoming somewhat sweet. Certainly worth topping up another glass from the bottle, but not worth buying a second glass.

Tale
The Vinho Verde has been produced from the Azal & Pedernã grapes of Portugal. Aliança has been producing Portuguese wines since 1927 and has always focussed on export markets, with 60 foreign nations now consuming half their annual production. The company was originally founded by 11 partners and has grown to incorporate approx. 600ha in wine regions such as Alentejo, Douro, Dão, Bairradas and Beiras.

Price: $9
Quality: ☆☆☆
Value:   ☆☆☆

http://www.alianca.pt/pt1/vinhos/show/scripts/core.htm?p=vinhos&f=show&lang=pt1&idcont=158
https://www.vintagecellars.com.au/White%20Wine/casal-mendes-vino-verde-750ml_186063

(W) Suavia: "Le Sorelle" Soave 2010, from Verona, Italy

Smell
Early: Grassy and a little citrus/chalkiness
Later: Floral & tropical fruity

Taste
The mouthfeel starts semi-dry with a crisp acidity and a lack of distinctive flavours. The wine opens up reasonable quickly to show flavours predominantly of pineapple, with some melon and softer white fruits, however the fruitiness is kept in check by firm acidity.

Tale
The Tessari family have worked the land around the village Fittà since the nineteenth century and in 1982 decided to break away from the local co-operative to produce their own wine under the label Suavia. Suavia is both the name of the castle in Soave and the town's name from the middle ages. The winery is currently under management of the three Tessari daughters, Alessandra, Meri and Valentina.

Price: $15
Quality: ☆☆☆
Value:   ☆☆☆

http://www.suavia.it/homepage
https://www.vintagecellarscorporate.com.au/corpe2e/Product/8642125/Le-Sorelle-di-Suavia-Soave-DOC
https://www.1stchoice.com.au/White%20Wine/le-sorelle-di-suavia-soave-doc-750ml-2010_8642125

(R) Viña Mayor: "Ribera Del Duero" Tinto Roble (Tempranillo) 2005, from Quintanilla de Onésimo, Valladolid, Spain

Smell
Early: Bouquet of ripe plums, cherries and forest fruits with a bit of earth and leather
Later: Ripe plums and sour cherries

Taste
This Tempranillo pours incredibly dark (due to a long time on skins) with reddish brown edges. It's fruity and smooth to begin, with a moderately dry mouthfeel and a small amount of acidity. The wine becomes slightly spicy and more tannic as it opens up. Eventually the fruitiness is dominated by spice and little else. Still a nice drink to the end, however it's certainly best at the start.

Tale
Viña Mayor are relative newcomers to the Duero wine scene, having been created in the town of Quintanilla de Onésimo in 1986 following certification of the Denominación de Origen "Ribera del Duero" in 1982. Viña Mayor's parent company Hijos de Antonio Barceló (H.A. Barceló) has half a dozen labels across Spain and has been producing wine since 1876, when 26 year old Don Antonio Barceló Madueño began making and exporting his own wines, liquors and brandies from his hometown Málaga on the southern coast of Spain.

Price: $16
Quality: ☆☆
Value:   ☆☆

https://www.vintagecellarscorporate.com.au/corpe2e/Product/6109148/Vina-Mayor-Roble-Ribera-Del-Duero
http://www.vina-mayor.com
http://www.vina-mayor.com/vi%C3%B1a-mayor-bodegas-y-vi%C3%B1edos_eng/nuestros_vinos/listado-de-familias-marca.aspx?id=6217

(W) Cave de Lugny: "Bourgogne Reserve" Chardonnay 2010, from Mâcon-Lugny, Burgundy, France

Smell
Early: Very subtle tropical fruit and floral notes backed by significant flintiness.
Later: Didn't wait to smell it.

Taste
The mouthfeel is surprisingly acidic and almost a little bit sour. This is actually slightly offensive and hopefully a once-off bottle with a problem. As a first, I'm not going to finish the bottle.

Tale
Cave de Lugny are actually a local cooperative that sources grapes from approx. 250 different estates, which almost forms a monopoly on the wines produced in the villages of Lugny and St Gengoux-de-Scissé. The cooperative was officially formed in 1927 and currently has 1,450 hectares of vineyards to source grapes, with over 80% of these vineyards being dedicated to Chardonnay.

Price: $20
Quality: ☆
Value:   ☆

http://www.cave-lugny.com/2011/institution/GB/page.php?PHPSESSID=j8vfvbcknu0ehbrhltc7iriea6&page=blanc
http://www.cave-lugny.com/2011/RSC/Fiches_Techniques/GB/FT%20BBL_gb.pdf
https://www.vintagecellars.com.au/White%20Wine/cave-de-lugny-bourgogne-blanc-750ml-2010_8650190

(R) Piana Del Sole: Primitivo (Zinfandel) 2009, from Salento, Italy

Smell
Early: Smokey wood and tobacco with spiced fruits.
Later: Prunes

Taste
This opens with a full mouth of fruit (thinking prunes and plums) and some subtly gripping tannins. The Primitivo is certainly sweet and fruity with a slowly diminishing amount of spice. Once the wine has had time to breath, the prune flavours become overdominant, so drink it quick!

Tale
Ooops... It appears this is actually a Wesfarmers (Coles) private label brand, which means it's really a dressed-up cleanskin.

Price: $14
Quality: ☆☆
Value:   ☆☆

https://www.vintagecellars.com.au/Red%20Wine/piana-del-sole-salento-primitivo-igt-750ml-2009_4905244

(R) Pierre Naigeon: "Bourgogne" Pinot Noir 2011, from Côte de Nuits in Burgundy, France

Smell
Early: Hints of strawberry and menthol in a field of ash
Later: Strawberries accompanied by forest fruits

Taste
Opens as gently as expected of such a transparent ruby-red wine, with a savoury flavours of smoked meats that had forest undergrowth added to the coals. Whilst the mouthfeel is light, it carries subversive tannin that only appears at the end of each glass. Time breathes life into both strawberry and mushroom flavours that join the undergrowth-smoked meats. By the final glass the flavour profile has dried out and moved towards Rosé-style fruits, such as strawberries and raspberries, however the smoked meats are ever-present.

Tale
As a family of farmers and coopers, the Naigeons bought property with vines in 1890 and began to produce their own red wines. The winery is currently under control Pierre Naigeon, who is the 5th generation of Naigeon vintners. The wine is produced as gently as possible, from hand picked and sorted grapes, to gravity racking & bottling, with minimal fining and filtration. The philosophy is designed to produce natural wine that expresses a sense of place, at minimal environmental cost.

Price: $17
Quality: ☆☆☆☆
Value:   ☆☆☆☆

http://www.domainepierrenaigeon.com
http://danmurphys.com.au/product/DM_916185

(W) Simonnet-Febvre: Petit Chablis 2010, from Yonne, Burgundy, France

Smell
Before & After: Floral with tropical fruits

Taste
For a Petit Chablis, which is 100% Chardonnay by nature, this is an incredibly fruity wine that resembles an aromatic Gewürtz more than a Chardonnay. The fruity flavours of crabapple, pear and pineapple are balanced nicely with a lingering acidity, which hovers between a citric lemon rind and slightly unripe green apple. Admittedly, it's not the sharp, flinty and mineral Chardonnay for which the Chablis region is renown. Nevertheless, this is a smashingly fruity Chardy that's certainly worth a try!

Tale
The Simonnet-Febvre winery was founded in 1840 by Jean Febvre, a barrel cooper from Montabard (west of Paris). The winery was originally used to produce sparking wine through the "traditional method" and is currently the only Chablis winery to produce "Crémant de Bourgogne", the creamy sparkling wines of Burgundy.

Price: $17
Quality: ☆☆☆☆
Value:  ☆☆☆

http://www.simonnet-febvre.com/en/
http://danmurphys.com.au/product/DM_347387

(R) Carpineto: "Castaldo" Chianti 2011, from Greve in Chianti, Tuscany, Italy

Smell
Early: Ripe plums
Later: Ripe plums with a growing presence of vanilla

Taste
This Sangiovese blend opens quite light and fruity, due to minimal time on skins. The predominating flavours are of ripe red fruits, such as plums, cherries and to a lesser extent, prunes and spices. The mouthfeel remains medium-light, as soft tannins slowly accumulate. Admittedly, I expected this to deteriorate once opened & to finish in overbearingly strong flavours of prune and spice with a sour finish. Rather than deteriorating, this Chianti has revealed notes of vanilla and the sort of strawberry flavours associated with great Kiwi Pinots. Through the entire bottle, this wine has held remarkable form as a medium-light fruity wine that would go very well with a duck, light steak or maybe an Italian meatball dish.

Tale
The most important and most recognised appellation within Tuscany is Chianti, where wines are typically made of Sangiovese, with a portion of Canaiolo amongst other red & white grapes. The Carpineto winery was founded in 1967 as a partnership between a first-generation oenologist/winemaker from north eastern Italy (Giovanni Carlo Sacchet) and a southern Italian with winemaking heritage (Antonio Mario Zaccheo). Giovanni and Antonio were convinced their mutual adopted homeland of Chianti could produce much greater wines than were available at the time & through adopting modern viticultural & winemaking techniques, they proved themselves right.

Composition
≥75% Sangiovese
≤25% Canaiolo & friends

Price: $13
Quality: ☆☆☆
Value:   ☆☆☆

http://www.carpineto.com/en/index.aspx/Chianti%20Castaldo/10/22/31
http://danmurphys.com.au/product/DM_901766

(W) Dr. Loosen: Blue Slate Riesling 2010, from Bernkastel, Mosel Valley, Germany

Smell
Early: Freshly cut green apples with oily hints of kerosene
Later: Apples are overtaken by floral notes

Taste
This lightly straw coloured wine has an unsurprisingly gentle mouthfeel that shows a mixture of freshness through apples and pears, and maturity through hints of honey. The wine is well balanced between semi-sweetness and a crisp, lingering acidity. With a little time some pineapple develops to accompany the apples and pears.

Tale
The Loosens are considered one of the finest Riesling producers in the world. This is significantly helped by being based near Bernkastel in the Mosel Valley, with neighbours like Joh. Jos. Prüm. After spending over 200 years in the Loosen family, the winery had descended into a hobby of a political family by the time it fell into the hands of Ernst Loosen in 1988. Ernst had previously been destined for a career in archaeology & upon turning his attention to the winery, realised the vines planted entirely of Riesling were on original roots and incredibly old, with an average age of 60 years. Ernst travelled the world to meet the winemakers behind great wines in order to discover what makes a great wine & has stayed true to his goal of producing the best Rieslings possible. This particular Riesling is named after the slopes along the Mosel, which consist predominantly of blue slate. The Blue Slate is Dr Loosen's entry level offering and is a fantastic example of an affordable and well crafted wine.

Price: $19
Quality: ☆☆☆☆
Value:  ☆☆☆

http://www.drloosen.com/
http://danmurphys.com.au/product/DM_329567

(R) Marqués De Riscal: "Próximo" Rioja 2009, from Elciego, Álava, Spain

Smell
Early: Soft oaky dark cherries
Later: Slightly sweet plums & cherries

Taste
This Spanish blend opens with woody and slightly spicy sour cherries and a moderately dry mouthfeel. With time in the glass, the woodiness is subdued & replaced by tannic astringency (dryness) and a softer bramble berry fruitiness with everpresent spices lingering.

Tale
Founded in 1858 near the town of Elciego in the Rioja appellation, the winery has slowly expanded to include vineyards from the Rueda and Toro appellations. Nevertheless, almost 3/4 of the vines grow within the Rioja region and all the grapes are developed into original, fresh and elegant wines that are easy to drink, with 60% of production destined for the export market.

Composition (2010 composition)

Tempranillo 93%

Graciano 5%

Mazuelo 2%

Tempranillo 93%

Graciano 5%

Mazuelo 2%

Tempranillo 93%

Graciano 5%

Mazuelo 2%

93% Tempranillo
5% Graciano
3% Mazuelo (Carignan)

Price: $10
Quality: ☆☆☆☆
Value:   ☆☆☆☆

http://www.marquesderiscal.com/vinos_detalleeng.php?id=25
http://danmurphys.com.au/product/DM_355668

(R) E.Guigal: Côtes Du Rhône Rouge 2009, from Ampuis, Northern Rhone, France

Smell
Early: Sweet dark plums and a spicy earthiness
Later: Sweeter plums and cherries with traces of spice

Taste
A soft and spicy mouthfeel with subtle lingering tannins. The spices are mixed with sour cherries, bramble fruit and a touch of undergrowth. This is a great long-finishing wine that's powerful without being overpowering & would go equally well with food (think cheese or lamb), or by itself.

Tale
Etienne Guigal founded his estate in 1946, which has been growing and began absorbing other estates and wineries in the 1980s. One of the earlier and more prestigious acquisitions was Château d'Ampuis in 1995, which was built on the banks of the Rhône river in the 12th century and redeveloped as a "Renaissance Château" in the 16th century. The Guigal estate is now in the hands of their 3rd generation winemaker Philippe Guigal and both the operations and cellaring are based at Château d'Ampuis in the historic town of Ampuis, just south of Vienne. It's worth noting this is Guigal's budget offering ($22 @VC), compared to some of their Syrah-dominated single vineyard wines that are sold for $800/bottle at DM!

Composition
52% Grenache
45% Syrah (Shiraz)
3% Mourvèdre

Price: $20
Quality: ☆☆☆☆☆
Value:   ☆☆☆☆

http://www.guigal.com/en/vins.php?id_millesime=10&id_produit=23
http://danmurphys.com.au/product/DM_143868

(W) Paul Mas Estate: "Nicole Vineyard" Chardonnay 2012, from Hérault Valley, Languedoc, France

Smell
Before & After: Sweet grasses with a bit of minerality.

Taste
The golden straw colour of such a young wine serves as a warning of oak, which is quite welcome on a winter night. This is certainly not pretending to be a crisp and clean Chablis style Chardy and feels ~2 years too young to have developed the rich buttery mouthfeel that brought oaky Chards renown in the 80s.
Secondary to the abundant oak and subsequent vanillin are tart citrus flavours of caramalised cumquats and surprisingly some of the tropical & white-fleshed orchard fruit flavours that are expected of a Gewürztraminer.
As the wine breathes, the oak avalanche retreats nicely to sit as one of several layers in this most intriguing wine. Worth buying for the experience.

Tale
The Mas Family has been growing grapes in the Languedoc region since 1892. In 2000, Jean Claude Mas inherited 35ha of vines and founded Domaines Paul Mas in honour of his father. Of JC's brands, most Aussies will know the irreverent Arrogant Frog line of wines. Château Paul Mas now spreads over two estates, from the historical castle in Conas, near Pézenas to the Nicole vineyard near Montagnac. As owner and chief winemaker, JC lives and makes wine according to the philosophy of Rural Luxury, aiming to combine innovation and tradition to craft great, authentic and affordable wines.

Price: $14
Quality: ☆☆☆☆
Value:   ☆☆☆☆

http://www.paulmas.com/paulmas/en/wine.php?idvin=35
http://danmurphys.com.au/product/DM_911468/paul-mas-estate-chardonnay

(R) Chateau Bellevue: Bordeaux 2011, from Cadarsac, Bordeaux, France

Smell
Early: Strong vanillin notes with some soft dates

Later: Overripe plums

Taste
Dark plums and spices with some earthiness. The wine's a little thin and slowly becomes a tad sour as the spiciness disappears.

Tale
Based south of Libourne, on the other side of the river La Dordogne, the winery is now in its sixth generation of family-ownership. This particular wine appears to be named after Chateau de Bellevue, the 1750 Bordeaux residence of Madame de Pompadour, the official chief mistress of King Louis XV.

Price: $10
Quality: ☆☆
Value:  ☆☆

http://danmurphys.com.au/product/DM_904483

   

(R) Santa Julia: Malbec 2011, from Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina

Smell
Early: Vegetal forest fruits and undergrowth

Later: Black berries and black currants opening to oak

Taste
Fairly dry and light mouthfeel, however not flavoursome at all. The flavours coming through are of jammy dark plums and black berries. Aside from fruit, the bottle develops a hint of wood and tobacco.

Tale
In 1963 Argentinian engineer Alberto Zuccardi planted vineyards in the water-poor agricultural region of Mendoza as a means to showcase his new irrigation system. Five years later Alberto opened his own winery, fuelled by the success of his irrigated vines. A few decades later, Alberto's son José Alberto created a new label that was to be shown at trade shows around the world. This new label was Santa Julia, named in honour of his only daughter.

Price: $9
Quality: ☆☆
Value:  ☆☆☆

http://www.santajulia.com.ar/en/vinos/varietales-jovenes/varietales/malbec

http://danmurphys.com.au/product/dm_906225

(R) Bodega Norton: "Lo Tengo" Malbec 2011, from Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina

Smell
Early: Earthy ripe red chrries, blood plums and forest fruits, including a few maraschino cherries
Later: More vegetal and less ripe forest fruits

Taste
Begins with a fruity sweetness and that finishes a little dry and quite tart. It slowly and subtly develops more earthy, smokey and oaky notes. Eventually this Malbec shows fresh brambly fruits, especially blackberry, and a little spice, whilst retaining some earthiness. Until the very end, the ripe red fruits can be retrieved by warming the glass with your hands etc.

Tale
Marketed as delivering Argentine soul straight to your glass this wine considers Malbec to be to wine, what the tango is to dancing - synonymous with Argentina.

Price: $12
Quality: ☆☆
Value:  ☆☆☆

http://norton.com.ar/vinoDetalle.php?idAnada=154
https://www.vintagecellars.com.au/Red%20Wine/lo-tengo-malbec-750ml-2011_8743610

(R) Domaine de la Baume: "La Jeunesse" Syrah 2011, from Beziers, Languedoc-Roussillon, France

Smell
Early: Dark plums, with notes of smoked wood
Later: Dark ripe fruit is retained, with a growing emphasis of wood over smoke

Taste
A rich medley of black cherries, blood plums and blackberries with pepper, spices and smoke. The mouthfeel is only mildly tannic, which is surprising at this age. As the wine opens it reveals smoked pork sausages to accompany the growing spices in complement to the ever-present bounty of ripe & dark fruit.

Tale
This winery was established two centuries ago by the Prat family, behind the popular Vermouth brand "Noilly Prat". The 45 acres of vines are surrounded by pine and eucalyptus forests. After being bought out by the Australian Hardy boys, the winery is now owned by Grand Chais de France.

Price: $13
Quality: ☆☆☆☆
Value:   ☆☆☆☆☆

http://www.gcfplanet.com/en/Domaine_de_la_Baume-41.html
http://danmurphys.com.au/product/DM_354620

(W) Amberley Estate: Chenin Blanc 2010, from Yallingup Siding, Western Australia, Australia

Smell
Before & After: Crabapples & pineapple

Taste
The wine opens quite fruity and florally, dominated by pineapple, melons and white peaches. Subtle notes of spice slowly reveal themselves, however that's where the complexity ends. This is nice without being mind-blowing.

Tale
As part of the Accolade Wines stable, Amberley Estate is a relative newcomer, being founded in 1985 amongst still-standing native bushland. The vineyard site was chosen due to the combination of eastern facing hills of well-draining, gravelly soil with a good water source.

Price: $13
Quality: ☆☆☆
Value:   ☆☆☆

http://www.amberleyestate.com.au:81/our_winery.php
http://danmurphys.com.au/product/DM_27612

(R) Torresella: Sangiovese 2010, from Maremma Toscana, Tuscany, Italy

Smell
Early: An earthy, slightly oaky backbone accompanied by black cherries and ripe dark forest fruits
Later: Cherries grow into rich and lightly poached plums and more abundant oaky notes

Taste
As expected from a Sangiovese, the mouthfeel is slightly more substantial than a Pinot and at three years old, this particular Sang has turned a deep ruby red and the tannins are suitably subdued. The light and acidic mouthfeel is bursting full of fruit. This is not a mind-blowingly complex wine, however it will match fantastically with almost any Italian combination of carbs, tomato and meat.

Tale
Torresella winery is based near the town of Portogruaro, just north of Venice, where it forms part of the Santa Margherita group of wineries. Santa Margherita estate was founded by textile tycoon Count Gaetano Marzotto Jr in the earlier parts of the twentieth century. The old Latin name for Sangiovese was Sanguis Jovis, or "Blood of Jupiter". The fruit for this "Blood of Jupiter" has been sourced from the Tuscan region of Maremma Toscana, where the ancient wine-loving Etruscans used to live and probably drank an early version of Sangiovese.

Price: $15
Quality: ☆☆☆☆
Value:   ☆☆☆☆

http://www.santamargherita.com/en
http://danmurphys.com.au/product/DM_716752

(W) Kurfürst Karl Kaspar: Niersteiner Gutes Domtal 2011, from Nierstein, Rhine Valley, Germany

Smell
Before & after: Apple blossoms and pears that are all a tad musky

Taste
Right from the start, this is a bland semi-sweet German wine that feels tailor-made to wash down most south-east asian dishes. At a stretch, this Qualitätswein could lay claim to floral, semi-tropical or orchard-fruit flavours and slowly developing passionfruit. This would be a great choice for someone after wine & Thai <$20. If you care about enjoying what you drink or impressing a drinking partner, splurge on a Riesling or Gewurztraminer at twice the price for a drop worth sharing.

Tale
This non-specific regional blend appears to have been named in honour of Karl Kaspar, the 17th-century Archibishop-elector of Trier and Prince-elector (Kurfürst) of the Holy Roman Empire. Beyond this, all I can establish is that the grapes are from Nierstein, which means they were possibly a conglomeration of the lesser-quality grapes from a range of local vineyards.

Price: $8
Quality: ☆☆
Value:   ☆☆☆

http://danmurphys.com.au/product/DM_906811

(R) Thorin: Gamay 2010, from Montmelas-Saint-Sorlin, Beaujolais-Villages, France

Smell
Early: Straight from the bottle, sweet and dark waves of ripe forest fruits and black cherries with moments of undergrowth
Later: The ripe fruit is slowly overran by green vegetal notes, including hints of mint

Taste
A refreshing and soft mouthful of berries that finishes slightly acidic, tart and dry. Soon the cherries from the nose present themselves as sour cherries as the acidity grows. Finally the end of the bottle shows some signs of spice, however it's not enough to give real character to the wine.

Tale
Benoit Thorin founded the Maison Thorin in 1843, south of Beaujeu, the historical capital of the Beaujolais province. The vineyard sprawling between Château de Montmelas and the river Rivolet is now owned and ran by the Boisset family. Boisset: La Famille des Grans Vins was established in 1961 by 18yo Jean-Claude Boisset and now manages a stable of wine labels including the Grandin range of bubbly.

Price: $12
Quality: ☆☆
Value:   ☆☆☆

http://www.boisset.fr/en/corp-familles/m-mht-thorin.php
http://danmurphys.com.au/product/DM_382927

(W) Klostor: Liebfraumilch 2011, from Nahe Valley, Germany

Smell
Early: Semi-sweet citrus with some gentler stone-fruit notes
Later: Retaining sweetness as it develops a florally melon nature

Taste
Starting with a bland sweetness that's followed by a faint musky aftertaste. The mouthfeel is virtually non-existent and leaves almost before it arrives. As the wine warms and oxidises, it opens to show signs of citrus that would be expected from a predominantly Riesling blend. As with the nose, citrus notes evolve into floral overtones with moments of spice. Probably best to err on the side of drinking warm & oxidised, as the character will be missed in a cold & freshly opened bottle. It's an easily drinkable companion to food that won't amaze anyone with its lack of complexity.

Tale
The Liebfraumilch blend, typically 70% Riesling accompanied by Sylvaner and Müller-Thurgau, gained it's name from the wine produced on the grounds of the Church of Our Lady (Liebfraukirche; Milch = milk) in the city of Worms. Liebfraumilch must be a QbA (Qualitätswein bestimmter Anbaugebiete) class of wine and can only be produced in the Rheinhessen, Pfalz, Nahe or Rheingau wine regions.

Price: $8
Quality: ☆☆☆
Value:   ☆☆☆☆

http://danmurphys.com.au/product/DM_906812

(W) Schloss Vollrads: "Volratz 1573" Riesling 2010, from Oestrich-Winkel, Rheingau, Germany

Smell
Early: Fresh and crisp apples fading to orchard flowers mingled with pineapple
Later: Greener apples stewed with rhubarb, dusted with spices and served on graphite

Taste
This pale gold wine opens strongly with a touch of acidity riding the crest of a wave of large firm stone fruit that leaves the mouth lightly rinsed in viscosity. The fruits remain omnipresent, albeit more tropical than before. As the bottle empties, the increasingly tropical fruit is cut and diced by lemon and lime riding on a blade of slate. The bottle finishes grippingly tart with cloyingly thick honey and cinnamon lurking beneath the impenetrable surface of citric acidity. Whilst this is certainly a young and fresh Riesling, it's by no means under-done. It's young love in a bottle - youthful, vibrant and energetic.

Tale
The family owned estate Schloss Vollrads has been selling wine just outside of Oestrich-Winkel since the early 1200s, which probably makes them the oldest commercial winery in Germany! The 200 acre winery produces only Rieslings and this particular label is named after the earliest known illustration of the Schloss (a German Château/Manor/Palace).

Price: $18
Quality: ☆☆☆☆
Value:   ☆☆☆☆

http://www.schlossvollrads.com/en.html
http://danmurphys.com.au/product/DM_348073

(R) Travers: Vieux Naudin 2009, from Saint-Michel-de-Fronsac, Bordeaux, France

Smell
Early: Gentle dark cherries and blood plums with earthy and woody afternotes
Later: The nose unripens, revealing green flavours of mint and possibly eucalypt or capsicum, whilst retaining the original woodiness

Taste
A very light mouthfeel that carries through a sweeter version of the fruity nose - highlights being strawberries and raspberries, accompanied by redcurrants. The Merlot-driven fruity parade distracts nicely from the tannins that slowly creep up to grip the entire mouth (I blame the Cab Sauv). The mouthfeel remains moderate, however the well-hidden tannins with moments of spice ensure the finish lingers much longer than expected. This is an uncomplicated and enjoyable wine that's more textual than flavoursome. Definitely a superb partner for a rustic red meat dish.

Tale
The Travers family are fourth generation immigrant winemakers from the nearby region of Corrèze. This Bordelease winery is focussing on bio-dynamic vitriculture to allow the terroir of such valuable land to show through in the wine.

Composition
70% Merlot
20% Cab Sauv
10% Cab Franc

Price: $22 (Ivy Bottle Shop, http://merivale.com.au/thebottleshop)
Quality: ☆☆☆☆
Value:   ☆☆☆

http://www.vignobles-travers.com/en/media/50641bdce0466.pdf
http://www.vignobles-travers.com/en/

(R) Mouton Cadet: Bordeaux Rouge 2010, from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France

Smell
Early: Soft plums and forrest berries
Later: Sweetening to jammy notes of dark cherries, currants and blackberries

Taste
The nose's red forest berries present themselves as a velvety smooth lining around some very soft tannins. As the wine aerates, subtle spice and earthy notes reveal themselves. A possible criticism is the wine could be conceived as slightly watery. Nevertheless, the mouthfeel is occupied with a punchy fruitiness that's backed by enough astringency (puckering mouthfeel) to imply liberal blending of Cab Sauv.

Tale
In the days of the Great Depression, Baron Philippe De Rothschild's legendary winery Château Mouton Rothschild produced some wine that wasn't quite up to Phil's lofty standards. Rather than throwing away good wine, the Rothschild family cadet (French for youngest son) decided to relabel the wine as Mouton Cadet (an early form of factory seconds). To meet the next year's demand, the Chateau bought grapes from surrounding areas and, aside from a break for WWII, the Mouton Cadet brand has been delivering affordable Bordeaux wines to the public ever since. Unfortunately, Mouton Cadet is as close to Château Mouton Rothschild as most of us will ever taste.

Composition
65% Merlot
20% Cab Sauv
15% Cab Franc

Price: $12
Quality: ☆☆☆☆
Value:   ☆☆☆☆☆

http://www.moutoncadet.com/index_en.asp
http://www.bpdr.com/gb/default.asp
http://danmurphys.com.au/product/DM_733330/mouton-cadet-rouge

 

(W) Tulloch Wines: Marsanne 2011 Cellar Door Release, from Pokolbin, Hunter Valley, Australia

Smell
Before & After: Oil & oak, so thick on the nose it jumps out of the glass.

Taste
Such a rich buttery, oaky texture forces me to question if I need to better acquaint myself with the Marsanne grape, or if the winemakers at Tulloch are underselling their craft. The wine is so soft and gentle that the glass seems to empty itself. There isn't much complexity and the experience is unwavering from cap to punt. If you like oaky, oily, luscious whites, this is a must-try.

Tale
In the late 1800s, shopkeeper John "J.Y" Tulloch accepted a property to settle debt. The property contained 5 acres of rundown Shiraz vines, which were brought back to life. After 70 years of family winemaking, the winery was sold into a 30 year period of revolving corporate ownership before finally being reclaimed by a conglomerate of Tulloch family and friends early in the new century. The winery remains under steady control of the forth generation of Tulloch winemakers, who are producing outstanding examples of mainstream and alternative varieties, with a special focus on Verdelho.

Price: $20 - Cellar door price, currently unavailable at DM/VC
Quality: ☆☆☆☆
Value:   ☆☆☆☆

http://www.tullochwines.com/our-wines/
http://www.tullochwines.com/media/194770/james_halliday_2013_wine_companion.pdf (p5)