by Martin Field
James Squire Hop Thief Ale – up to $18 the six-pack of stubbies
Hue of weak black tea. Sweetish nose of hops and malt. A mellow, full-flavoured hoppy mouthful with a firm, not too bitter, pour-me-another-as-soon-as-you-like, finish.
Yellow Tail Riesling 2005 – under $10
Rather tropical fruit nose with a hint of lime. Easy to drink style with plenty of ripeness, a touch of lemon sherbet, slight sweetness and mild acidity.
Mount Pleasant Elizabeth Hunter Valley Semillon 2001 – under $17
Attractive honey and lemon bouquet. Light, elegant, very dry and citrus tangy. Excellent aperitif or entrée style. Cellar to 2015.
The Crossings Sauvignon Blanc 2005 – up to $24
Marlborough, New Zealand. Leafy, kiwifruit and grassy nose. Fullish passionfruit and pineapple flavours dominate the palate, finishes with an acid tang. Youthful style for drinking in its youth.
Shaw and Smith M3 Vineyard Chardonnay 2004 – $35ish
Adelaide Hills, South Australia. Likeable nose of dried apricots. Delicious in the mouth, packed with ripe stone fruit and nicely judged toasty oak. Upfront acidity lends fine structure.
Deen De Bortoli Vat 1 Durif 2004 – up to $10
Lovely fruity nose of raspberries and faint oakiness. Palate is medium-weighted with lots of berry conserve flavour supported by drying tannins. Good dinner wine, excellent value for money.
Hay Shed Hill Cabernet Merlot 2004 – $22ish
Margaret River, Western Australia. Nose shows savoury notes of tobacco leaf and chocolate. Palate shows blackcurrants and continues with savoury aspects to a dryish, firm, food accompanying finish.
Printhie Merlot 2005 – RRP $15
Orange region, New South Wales. Nose of mulberries and a hint of aniseed. Full, soft and sweet berry-packed in the mouth, showing porty undertones. Style would suit winter dinner main courses.
Penfolds RWT Barossa Valley Shiraz 2003 – up to $150
Mid-crimson to black. Inviting nose of blackberries, mint and subdued French oak vanillin. May be a tad lighter than recent vintages but nevertheless a classic dry red. The palate shows plums, mulberries, a hint of dark chocolate and grippy but not aggressive tannins that lead to a concentrated firm finish. Approachable now but will cellar gracefully to 2015.
Prices in Australian dollars.
I’ve heard some good noises about the Yellow Tail Riesling; must put it on my list of Rieslings to taste.
Have you tried the Shiraz under the same label? I’ve noticed a very good sale for a lot of the Yellow Tail wines in one of the Singaporean wine shops recently; have been considering taking advantage of it. Any comments on that?
I can’t comment on the shiraz specifically but the Yellow Tail wines are generally very approachable, likeable and excellent value for money. They are far from bone dry and therefore suit consumers who like just a tad of residual sweetness in their table wines.
I’ll definitely have to try the Riesling then (and give the Shiraz a go at some point).
I’m particularly fond of Rieslings, but don’t like the ones that are bone dry. I had an exceptional one from Marlborough a few days ago; the Villa Maria 2004. Crisp, not too acidic, lots of citrus fruit with hints of lime. One of the best I’ve had from Marlborough; would highly recommend trying it if you can find a bottle.