Cool Is Hot... according to Wine Australia's trade seminar. It was led by local wine educator, Mark Davidson, and featured Ann-Marie Battista of Hardy’s, Gordon Debbie of Rathbone Wine Group, and Wayne Stehbens, senior winemaker from Katnook Estate.
While most of the wines we tried aren't listed, try looking for others from the same regions, producers or even the same wine but different vintage. Getting a wine listed is a lengthy process, so hopefully it's just a matter of time before these are on the shelf. Check out Skillogalee Riesling which is listed in BC, and Stonier Pinot Noir which is pending.
Tasting Notes
Hungerford Hill Pinot Gris 2006 - Victoria - $23
Terrific minerality with lemon and grapefruit flavours, phenomenal acidity, a hint of plastic on the nose, and a log citrus finish.
Skillogalee Riesling 2006 - Clare Valley, South Australia - $25 - AVAILABLE
This is a gorgeous wine, and a superior vintage to the 2005 presented at the Vancouver International Playhouse Wine Festival, and would age beautifully - for 10-15 years according to Wayne. A touch of petrol on the nose (this is considered very desireable in Rieslings) with crisp red apple and lots of tangy lemon. Clare Valley gets really dramatic temperature drops at night that keeps acidity levels high. Bring on the calamari.
To see notes on the previous vintage click here http://beckysolomon.blogspot.com/2007/04/my-wine-festival-picks.html.
For in-store availability click here http://www.bcliquorstores.com/en/products/579169
Bay of Tigress Sauvignon Blanc 2007 - Cola River/Hobart, Tasmania $25
Nearly water white with a tinge of green on the edge. There's ripe pink guava on the nose that turns greener and less ripe on the tongue - gooseberry, lime, and green apple dominates. It's ripe and tropical on the nose, and turns into something altogether very characteristic of Sauv Blanc on the palate. Wow!
Jacob's Creek Reeves Point Chadonnay 2004 - Padthway, South Australia - $36
Very smoky nose here, with nice acidity that balances toastiness with a clean crisp apple on the very long finish. Full bodied Chard lovers only please. The ABC'ers will be quaking in their oak fearing boots and running for the safe shelter of their Pinot Grigio.
Stonier Pinot Noir 2006 - Mornington Peninsula, Victoria - $30 - BC LISTING PENDING
It's very good news for BC that this is about to be listed. This is an approachable yest complex Pinot with a very berry nose of young red cherry. It's a bit floral with a bit of dried leaf, spice, pepper and strawberry.
Yering Station Reserve Pinot Noir 2005 - Yarra Valley, Victoria - $65
Earthy, smooth, and rich, with raspberry jam, strawberry, oak, sweet fresh raspberry and cedar. Delicious, but I might take 2 bottles of the Stonier and keep the change for cab fare home instead. Not that I have much choice, since only one is about to be listed ;-)
Katnook Coonawarra Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 - Coonawarra, South Australia - $35
Dense and dark, I'd say this is probably unfiltered. It's very gamey with the earthy scent of horse stables (clean ones) oak, loads of rich fruit,and something green and herbaceous like eucalyptus, and slightly chewy tannins. Terrific value for $35. Can someone please get this listed?
Mount Langi Ghiran "Langi" Shiraz 2004 - Grampians, Victoria - $45
This is so different from the hot climate Aussie Shiraz I'm used to. There's a bit of cooked fruit, with gripping tannins, spice, oak and nice acidity. A lean mean Shiraz machine from a 50 year old vineyard.
Nepenthe Zinfandel 2004 - Adelaide Hills, South Australia - $30
An Aussie Zin? Oh yeah. Bright fruity plum and berry flavours with spicy pepper. California who?
While most of the wines we tried aren't listed, try looking for others from the same regions, producers or even the same wine but different vintage. Getting a wine listed is a lengthy process, so hopefully it's just a matter of time before these are on the shelf. Check out Skillogalee Riesling which is listed in BC, and Stonier Pinot Noir which is pending.
Tasting Notes
Hungerford Hill Pinot Gris 2006 - Victoria - $23
Terrific minerality with lemon and grapefruit flavours, phenomenal acidity, a hint of plastic on the nose, and a log citrus finish.
Skillogalee Riesling 2006 - Clare Valley, South Australia - $25 - AVAILABLE
This is a gorgeous wine, and a superior vintage to the 2005 presented at the Vancouver International Playhouse Wine Festival, and would age beautifully - for 10-15 years according to Wayne. A touch of petrol on the nose (this is considered very desireable in Rieslings) with crisp red apple and lots of tangy lemon. Clare Valley gets really dramatic temperature drops at night that keeps acidity levels high. Bring on the calamari.
To see notes on the previous vintage click here http://beckysolomon.blogspot.com/2007/04/my-wine-festival-picks.html.
For in-store availability click here http://www.bcliquorstores.com/en/products/579169
Bay of Tigress Sauvignon Blanc 2007 - Cola River/Hobart, Tasmania $25
Nearly water white with a tinge of green on the edge. There's ripe pink guava on the nose that turns greener and less ripe on the tongue - gooseberry, lime, and green apple dominates. It's ripe and tropical on the nose, and turns into something altogether very characteristic of Sauv Blanc on the palate. Wow!
Jacob's Creek Reeves Point Chadonnay 2004 - Padthway, South Australia - $36
Very smoky nose here, with nice acidity that balances toastiness with a clean crisp apple on the very long finish. Full bodied Chard lovers only please. The ABC'ers will be quaking in their oak fearing boots and running for the safe shelter of their Pinot Grigio.
Stonier Pinot Noir 2006 - Mornington Peninsula, Victoria - $30 - BC LISTING PENDING
It's very good news for BC that this is about to be listed. This is an approachable yest complex Pinot with a very berry nose of young red cherry. It's a bit floral with a bit of dried leaf, spice, pepper and strawberry.
Yering Station Reserve Pinot Noir 2005 - Yarra Valley, Victoria - $65
Earthy, smooth, and rich, with raspberry jam, strawberry, oak, sweet fresh raspberry and cedar. Delicious, but I might take 2 bottles of the Stonier and keep the change for cab fare home instead. Not that I have much choice, since only one is about to be listed ;-)
Katnook Coonawarra Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 - Coonawarra, South Australia - $35
Dense and dark, I'd say this is probably unfiltered. It's very gamey with the earthy scent of horse stables (clean ones) oak, loads of rich fruit,and something green and herbaceous like eucalyptus, and slightly chewy tannins. Terrific value for $35. Can someone please get this listed?
Mount Langi Ghiran "Langi" Shiraz 2004 - Grampians, Victoria - $45
This is so different from the hot climate Aussie Shiraz I'm used to. There's a bit of cooked fruit, with gripping tannins, spice, oak and nice acidity. A lean mean Shiraz machine from a 50 year old vineyard.
Nepenthe Zinfandel 2004 - Adelaide Hills, South Australia - $30
An Aussie Zin? Oh yeah. Bright fruity plum and berry flavours with spicy pepper. California who?
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