Tuesday, June 28, 2016This mid-May tasting titled "Savour Australia" featured wines from about 25 wineries and was held in a compact room at George Restaurant on Queen Street East. At times, the room felt very small due to the high number of people in attendance. Overall, there were many high quality wines at various price points. As is the case with most tastings, many of the wines are not available at the LCBO, but can be ordered through the winery's representing Agent here in Ontario. Many wines from Australia at this tasting were most definitely savoured and highly recommended. Here are some of my favourite Australian wines from this tasting.
Vines from 1849 and produced by the 9th generation of this family-owned winery, this Semillon has a very appealing and highly aromatic nose of mineral, wet stone, white flowers and hints honey. On the palate, it is medium-bodied with a creamy mouthfeel and tart lime and mineral flavours. It is a dry wine with very good acids and excellent length on the finish. Excellent wine will age for at least 5 years. Superb!Contact Bokke Wines for availability. Now available online at LCBO.com and at the Eglinton & Laird LCBO. Score: 92 pts
HOLLICK RAVENSWOOD CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012 - Coonawarra, South Australia (XD) - $75
Highly aromatic with elegant notes of sweet spice, red and black fruits, currant, cassis, hints of pencil lead and slightly jammy fruit notes, all of which echo very nicely on the full-bodied palate. Acids are juicy and mouth-watering, while the finish is excellent. Tannins are firm and drying, but also provide very good structure. This should be better in 2-3 years and drink well for at least decade. Contact Lifford Wine & Spirits for availability. Score: 92 pts
ALPHA BOX & DICE APOSTLE SHIRAZ DURIF 2012 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (XD) - $50
This 85/15 blend of Shiraz and Durif (aka Petite Sirah) has a medium-to-high intensity nose of red, black and purple fruits intermingling with sweet spice, herbs, mint and violets. On the palate, it is full-bodied and offers complex aroma replays framed by very good acidity and integrated tannins. In my excitement, I guess I forgot to take a photo of this absolutely delicious wine! Score: 91+ pts
STONIER CHARDONNAY 2015 - Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Australia (#025353) (XD) - $35
Medium-high intensity nose that's fresh and clean with bright orchard fruits and pear aromas. The mouthfeel is full with a nice texture and pleasing aroma replays on the palate. It has very good acidity and finishes long. Very well-balanced. 30% barrel fermented. Contact Select Wines to order. Score: 90+ pts
KILIKANOON MORT'S BLOCK RIESLING 2015 - Clare Valley, South Australia (#428342) (XD) - $19.95
A medium-to-high intensity nose offers lovely petrol aromas with underlying mineral and wet rock along hints of stone fruit, all of which show up on the flavour profile. There's some sweetness on the palate, but is shaded by bright acids. Minerally finish is long and dry with hints of citrus. Should arrive in VINTAGES in the Fall. Contact Charton Hobbs for quicker availability. Score: 90+ pts
Tasting Notes:
CIRILLO 1850 ANCESTOR SEMILLON 2011 - Barossa Valley, South Australia (#250281) (XD) - $42.65Vines from 1849 and produced by the 9th generation of this family-owned winery, this Semillon has a very appealing and highly aromatic nose of mineral, wet stone, white flowers and hints honey. On the palate, it is medium-bodied with a creamy mouthfeel and tart lime and mineral flavours. It is a dry wine with very good acids and excellent length on the finish. Excellent wine will age for at least 5 years. Superb!
HOLLICK RAVENSWOOD CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012 - Coonawarra, South Australia (XD) - $75
Highly aromatic with elegant notes of sweet spice, red and black fruits, currant, cassis, hints of pencil lead and slightly jammy fruit notes, all of which echo very nicely on the full-bodied palate. Acids are juicy and mouth-watering, while the finish is excellent. Tannins are firm and drying, but also provide very good structure. This should be better in 2-3 years and drink well for at least decade. Contact Lifford Wine & Spirits for availability. Score: 92 pts
ALPHA BOX & DICE APOSTLE SHIRAZ DURIF 2012 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (XD) - $50
This 85/15 blend of Shiraz and Durif (aka Petite Sirah) has a medium-to-high intensity nose of red, black and purple fruits intermingling with sweet spice, herbs, mint and violets. On the palate, it is full-bodied and offers complex aroma replays framed by very good acidity and integrated tannins. In my excitement, I guess I forgot to take a photo of this absolutely delicious wine! Score: 91+ pts
STONIER CHARDONNAY 2015 - Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Australia (#025353) (XD) - $35
Medium-high intensity nose that's fresh and clean with bright orchard fruits and pear aromas. The mouthfeel is full with a nice texture and pleasing aroma replays on the palate. It has very good acidity and finishes long. Very well-balanced. 30% barrel fermented. Contact Select Wines to order. Score: 90+ pts
KILIKANOON MORT'S BLOCK RIESLING 2015 - Clare Valley, South Australia (#428342) (XD) - $19.95
A medium-to-high intensity nose offers lovely petrol aromas with underlying mineral and wet rock along hints of stone fruit, all of which show up on the flavour profile. There's some sweetness on the palate, but is shaded by bright acids. Minerally finish is long and dry with hints of citrus. Should arrive in VINTAGES in the Fall. Contact Charton Hobbs for quicker availability. Score: 90+ pts
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