Aussie Wines that taste as good as they look!

I'm not sure if i'm alone here but I find that when it comes to the wines of our Aussie cousins I need to tread a little carefully.  I know that some of the best wines in the world that originate here, but for the more affordable wines I just find that there is often a couple of issues.  Foremost amongst which is wines that look great or sound totally wacky with comedy names.  I'll be honest I like this about the Aussies, being able to instantly pick out a well-designed bottle on the shelf and perhaps even then have a quiet chuckle when I read the name appeals to the silly side of me.  The problem is just when the actual wine does not live up to the hype the disappointment is even greater, so really they have to over deliver.  When re-discovering some of our newest Australian additions I happened across a whole sphere of fabulous wines at a good price that offer something strangely refined in a country where it seems that muscle and intensity is everything, when it comes to Shiraz at least!

Vinaceous Divine Light Sauvignon Blanc 2013.

Standing at 12.5% ABV and coming out of the Margaret River, where I have actually just visited, I was pleased to find a Sauvignon from here that did not insist upon blending with Semillon!  A healthy natural acidity within the grapes coupled with minimal skin contact during fermentation makes for a really delicate and fresh style of Sauvignon.  The nose is quite mild but the flavours of pineapple and mango just build and build where the citrus freshness comes through.  It is the sourcing of fruits from different sub-regions of Margaret River that offer different qualities to the wine and offer the end complexity.  We agree with James Haliday who gave this 94/100 points
£13.24 per bottle or £153.22 per case of 12

Riposte Stiletto Pinot Gris 2013.

With a little further Alcohol at 13% the small amount of residual sugar within the wine serves to enhance the natural flavours and balance the wine overall.  This Adelaide Hills Pinot Gris sees a very small amount of time in French Oak combined with Malolactic fermentation all give this wine a very smooth creamy texture that compliments and enhances the tropical & stone fruit smoothie flavours.  It comes as no surprise that wine maker Tim Knappstein is something of a pioneer and hugely regarded figure in Australia who has won a string of awards for all his wines including this Pinot Gris.  I have to say this style has really won me over to the case of Pinot Gris.
£15.11 per bottle or £174.92 per case of 12

 Rob Dolan True Colours Chardonnay 2012.

ABC (Anything But Chardonnay)?  Let us change your mind please!  Normally that means breaking out the unoaked Chardonnay, well Rob Dolan has created possibly the best introduction to Chardonnay and in particular Chardonnay with delicate integrated oak.  For those of you still reading, I am not a massive fan of heavily oaked wines, but the key words here are delicate and integrated, the oak just feels like it belongs alongside the warming tropical fruits and balanced acidity.  Rob Dolan, Yarra Valley in Victoria and voted newcomer of the year, this ex Aussie rules star has a surprising ability to show off some finesse!
£167.27 per case of 12

Route du Van Dolcetto-Shiraz 2012

79% Dolcetto and just 21% Shiraz but does the Shiraz make the Dolcetto or does the Dolcetto make the Shiraz?  Frankly with a wine this good I just don't care about those kind of technicalities, I just want to savour it and enjoy it.  This was most probably everyone's highlight of the night.  Whilst the combination is unusual it makes total sense when you try it, the softer, earthy characters of the Dolcetto are magnified by a spicy shiraz incorporating parma violet and rich plum jam.  Unoaked, just like the Italians, this is a scarily drinkable wine with silky fine grained tannin.  Honestly if you aren't sold by now then there's no hope!
£11.68 per bottle or £135.10 per case of 12

 Riposte Cutlass Shiraz 2012

Another almighty showing by Tim Knappstein in the Adelaide Hills.  At 14% ABV you might be expecting the usual monster Shiraz, alas if that is what you love, The Riposte Cutlass Shiraz has just a little more refinement to it, in part owing to the position up in the Adelaide Hills.  If, however, you are left needing to instantly brush your teeth and have a long lie down after the average Aussie Shiraz then this small batch (genuinely) hand crafted option will be just the ticket for you.  There is plenty of body and flavours of menthol and white pepper but it is just sublimely smooth and balanced.  "It's Shiraz Tim, but not as we know it!"
£17.40 per bottle or £201.46 per case of 12

 Vinaceous Raconteur Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

For the final wine of the evening we head back to Margaret River and for one of the regions specialities, Cabernet Sauvignon.  I am stuffed if I know why but Cabernet from most parts of the world just fail to excite me, neither wonderful or awful, Australia is one of the few places I see real potential in the varietal as a standalone grape.  Vinaceos do it exceptionally well, 100% Willyabrup old vine fruit, the nose just leaps out at you with lemongrass and all sorts of sweet spices alongside fresh fruits and herbal notes.  What's nice to see here is a decent amount of acidity keeping the whole wine refreshing and balance the 14% ABV.
£14.21 per bottle or £164.54 per case of 12

There you have it a line-up of 6 totally different wine styles, offering something from the more refined side of Australia, oh and have you noticed?  Not a mention of the Barossa once!

Tried and Tested - This Week's Staff Recommendations

           

Richmond Plains Nelson Blanc de Noir (White Pinot Noir)

Richmond Plains winery is owned by Lars Jensen and his wife Samantha. Lars has been committed to enjoying and making great wines ever since he 'stole' a sip from his parent's glass as a child. His enthusiasm remains unabated 'every bottle, every vintage and every variety is a new discovery… making me eager for more'. The couple believe that Nelson offers the perfect location for producing fantastic wines, being 'blessed with the longest number of sunshine hours in New Zealand…combined with free-draining soils of ancient river beds…perfect for producing vibrant fruit driven white wines and well-structured elegant red wines.'

Torrede Ona Reserva 2008, La Rioja Alta

Following a visit to Spain, Leandro Vázquez decided to flee the American frenzy of big business and delve into the ancient tradition of vine-growing and so with good taste and great care, the Torre de Oña SA winery was born. After pouring a great deal of emotion and enthusiasm in to creating the winery Leandro Vázquez decided to leave the business. This situation coincided with the desire of La Rioja Alta to complement its traditional style with a new wine, totally independent and different from the Haro sanctuary. Some changes were made after the purchase was completed in January 1995, to focus more on improving and enhancing what was already there rather than on changing the château philosophy or the modern and powerful wine initially produced by Barón de Oña.

Vina Arana Reserva, La Rioja Alta

La Rioja Alta is widely recognised to be one of the finest wineries in the Rioja region. The estate has a history dating back over 100 years with the accumulated experience and knowledge being passed down through the generations and translated into the wines of the estate. The heartlands of La Rioja Alta are in the finest sites of the Rioja Alta region, with a further four wineries located in Spain's most renown DOs. The Haro Estate of La Rioja Alta produces three Reservas and two Gran Reservas, as well as the unique Marques de Haro wine that is the passion of the winemaker, Julio Sáenz.

Russell Wallace, General Manager

Richmond Plains Blanc De Noir – This was a seriously intensely flavoured white full of red fruit flavours and strawberry fizz.  My first thought was that this would work well slightly warmer than normal but served Ice cold was just irresistible so I am afraid I never got to try this out.  Flavours in general felt a little off dry but the reality was that the mouthfeel was bone dry.  I loved the every so slight hint of pink within the colour it makes it really appealing in the glass.  An excellent wine that delivered well above expectations and hugely recommended as about as good as a white wine gets!! Score: 19/20

Torre de Ona Reserva – A lighter Rioja than expected with really smooth rounded and balanced flavours.  All too often in a Reserva or Gran Reserva the American oak can dominate resulting in too much oak flavour and an earthy Mushroom flavour that I do not care for.  Here though the oak was mellow and the fruit flavours genuinely bright and refreshing, whilst it worked great with my Lentil Daal this is a refreshing enough red to enjoy on it’s own. Score: 16/20

Vina Arana Reserva, La Rioja Alta – This Vina Arana still showed an incredible smoothness and balance of flavour just like the Ona Reserva.  You can see the extra bottle age in the browning rim and more translucent colour which I just love in a wine.  The tannins were a little more pronounced and the flavour just seemed never to end.  Flavours were darker and a little more plumy but with a really fresh almost mineral quality that meant there was not harsh aftertaste. Still incredible smoothness and balance of flavours light but long lasting tannin the flavour keeps going too. Flavours are dark and plummy with a real fresh minerality. Love the colours of all three! Score: 17/20

Keron Magee, Shop Manager

Richmond Plains Blanc De Noir - Wow!  Never had a blanc pinot noir before and so had no idea what to expect. Hesitated with the musty dull fruit aromas but in the flavour was revealed a stunning, slightly acidic basket of fresh soft flesh fruits. Very refreshing and quick finish. I loved this wine on its own and yet it was versatile to complement peppered mackerel and indeed the delicate flesh of scallops. Score: 18/20

Torre de Ona Reserva 2008  - For riojas these lacked a bit of oomph for me.  That could be down to ageing but the expectation of pepperiness that you would expect from Temperanillos did not seem to come to the front.  Don't get me wrong, it was pleasant enough leaving a pleasant oaky flavour that did justice to my Chicken tikka pizza and my friend's black pudding and goats cheese salad.  Score: 12/20

Dianne Younger, Company Administrator

Richmond Plains Blanc De Noir - I very much enjoy Pinot Noir, however it was a new experience for me to try a white Pinot Noir - and boy, did I enjoy it! It was completely different to what I'd imagined. On the nose, I was hit with a very intense blackcurrant aroma. I wasn't disappointed by the taste either as I found more blackcurrant flavours. It was just lovely, and very moreish - and I'll certainly be buying more of it! Score: 18/20

Clive Holroyd, Database Manager

Richmond Plains Blanc De Noir - The wine is a pale gold in colour with a hint of peach. It's aroma is quite sharp and tangy with underlying notes of pear, pineapple and tropical fruit. There's an initial hit of tannins when you taste the wine but this quickly subsides to sharp citrus fruits with maybe a little apricot in the background. The wines has a nice clean finish with no after-taste. Pleasant enough, but didn't really excite me. Score: 10/20

Torre de Ona Reserva 2008 - Deep tawny red in colour with an aroma of soft red fruits (mulberry/redcurrant) and a hint of caramel. When tasted, the tannins were a little too prominent; the wines feels big in the mouth but with a slight bitterness. I could just about taste the fruit flavours but they were very much to the background. A little disappointing. Score: 12/20

Vina Arana Reserva, La Rioja Alta - Very deep red in colour with a tawny rim, this wine has a savoury biscuity aroma with soft hints of perfume. This wine is very full in the mouth with an initial savouriness and sharp red fruits, which soften as the wine opens out. There is a pleasant savoury aftertaste. Very nice indeed. Score: 16/20

Chateau Arnauton Grand Sol France 2004 - Deep red in colour with a tawny rim. On the nose, powerful deep and juicy red and black fruits. In the mouth, a big fruity burst with a lovely smokey aftertaste. Nice and full in the mouth with beautifully integrated tannins. Very very very very nice. Score: 20/20

Susan Ross, Logistics Manager

Chateau Arnauton Grand Sol France 2004 - Steak for dinner on Sunday so cracked this one open.  I’m not a huge follower of Bordeaux, never really have been despite being surrounded by it in our warehouse(!), its just not something I would choose to drink, however, I was keen to give this one a go as its from a great vintage and in the whole context of Bordeaux, inexpensive.  I wasn’t disappointed.  Great nose of deep berry fruits and a hint of spice, just crying out to be tasted (and drunk!).  Pretty big on the palate, deep dark fruit and great tannins.  A fab food wine for rich red meat and a real steal at the price. Perfect for a Sunday roast and impressing friends!

Tried and Tested - This Week's Staff Recommendations

The wines Exel Staff have been tasting this week are:

Seresin Sauvignon Blanc New Zealand 2013

Seresin Rachel Pinot Noir New Zealand 2010

Lager De Cervera Albarino Spain 2012

Seresin – Michael Seresin first found his desire to foray into the wine industry, away from his roots as an international film maker, following a trip to his second home in Tuscany. In the early 1990’s he seriously considered setting up in Italy but a visit to the Marlborough Sounds in the South Island of his native New Zealand soon put a stop to that! His first vineyard was in the Wairau valley at what is now the “home Vineyard” of Seresin, but the estate spans three different regions within Marlborough allowing a good degree of unique complexity to enter Michaels wines. Add to that the commitment to a natural approach to farming with minimal intervention, biodynamic and organic practices as well as the use of wild yeasts all make these more than just another Kiwi plonk!

Lager de Cervera Albarino – The Rias Baixas Vineyards of popular Rioja maker, La Rioja Alta are the largest of all in this Albarino heartland but don’t take this to mean they are a gargantuan factory. In fact the winery is quite small and intimate. The size of the vineyard is down to the family secret for making the best Albarino, simply great quality grapes and little else more complicated than that!  Vineyards in this part of the world are beautiful nestled in and protected by old oak and eucalyptus trees. Rias Baixas geographically is in the Northernmost part of Spain just above Portugal where the river Mino flows into the sea.  Facing the sun directly and protected from the morning mists the harvests in this district come in rather early. This wine feels alive, full of minerality while citrus and tropical notes intertwine excellently making this a wine that would suit a multitude of people. The fuller flavour will make this quite versatile with food whilst the crisp minerality makes it wonderful enjoyed alongside a serving of good company!! 

Clive Holroyd, Database Manager

Seresin Sauvignon Blanc - Pale straw coloured and not very leggy. Pineapple on the nose, apple and pineapple in the mouth. Very nice. Score: 15/20

Seresin Rachael Pinot Noir - I've never been a fan of Pinot Noir as those I have tried in the past (long before I joined Exel Wines!) have been a little one-dimensional and a bit too sharp for my tastes. This was very different, a wine with some depth and complexity but still a hint of those sharp red fruits. One of my tasting partners commented that it smelt like a Christmas cake, nice full taste in the mouth but no bitterness from the tannins. Very nice indeed. Score: 18/20

Lager De Cevera Albarino - Pale coloured and not particularly leggy in the glass, Elderflower and quite sharp citrus aromas on the nose. Creamy in the mouth with just a hint of citrus and a nice clean finish. Not bad at all. Score: 15/20

Dianne Younger, Company Administrator

Seresin Sauvignon Blanc - Colour: Golden. Aroma: What struck me immediately was the sherbet nose I got from this wine, full of blackcurrant and lemon aromas which I found very appealing. Flavour: Citrus with the blackcurrant sweetness carrying through in the taste. To be honest, as the colder winter nights draw ever closer, I'm moving back in to warming red wines again but I do have to say this wine was a big hit with me, very nice. Score: 18/20

Lager de Cervera Albarino - Unfortunately, this wine did not leave the same impression on me as the Seresin Sauvignon Blanc had - I think it was just too dry for my palate. Colour: Pale Yellow with a green tinge. Aroma: Citrus, I got mainly grapefruit aromas from this wine, and little else I'm afraid. Flavour: As I said, I found this one just too dry for me and I'd even goes as far as say a little astringent. However, if you like your whites dry then this is definitely the one for you. Score: 10/20

Seresin Rachael Pinot Noir - Colour: Tawny red with a very pale pinky brown rim. Aroma: An fruity mix of damson, plum and cherry aromas. Flavour: Soft, but with a robust backbone. Flavours of bitter cherries hit the mouth straight away, with what I can only describe as a slight herbal note on the finish. I think I would prefer to drink this wine with food and could see it being an excellent accompaniment to game, especially pheasant and duck. Score: 16/20

Keron Magee, Shop Manager

Seresin Sauvignon Blanc - what a cracker. On first nose you realise immediately that the flavour is going to be big.  So it is but in a gentlemanly manner. Bags of "oranges and lemons" with a lovely soft buttery mouthfeel presumably as a result of resting on lees. Returning back to it later, it lost nothing of its impact. Definitely in my top ten. Score: 16/20

Lager De Cervera Albarino - My first taste of Albarino. Needed a bit more concentration, as at first nose, there is not a lot going on. This is reflected in the dry short taste of "crisp apple". It was the perfect accompaniment to my "pick and mix" platter of olives, chicken pate, fruit chutney and oatcakes. Score: 14/20 

Seresin Rachael Pinot Noir - A mouthful of plums, damsons and dark berries overlaid with oaky notes.  A surprisingly short and soft finish that went down well with my slow-cooker beef casserole. Score: 14/20