by Martin Field
3 Ravens Black – about $3.40 the 330ml bottle – \_/\_/\_/
Espresso black in colour. Inviting nose of bitter chocolate and dark coffee beans. This stout is a smooth (from oatmeal component I’m told) textured, satisfying brew that lasts long on the palate with more of the chocolate and coffee following through from the bouquet and some sweet maltiness. Bottle-conditioned (means there’s yeast in the bottle) unfiltered, unpasteurised, 5.5% alcohol.
Bress Brut Cider – about $18 the 750 ml bottle – \_/\_/\_/
Harcourt, Victoria. Pale gold, persistent bead. Lovely, very dry cider (10% alcohol) oozing essence of apples and showing an appetite-whetting, lip-smacking, green apple, finish.
Effen Vodka – up to $50 the 700ml bottle – \_/\_/\_/
Holland. Distilled from bulgur wheat. Clean, fragrant spirity nose. The vodka is mellow on the palate and has such a silky mouthfeel it’s almost a pity to use it as a cocktail base – it deserves to be sipped ice-cold on its own.
Richmond Grove Watervale Riesling 2005 – up to $16 – \_/\_/\_/\_/$
Clare Valley, South Australia. Near water pale with a light green edge. The nose is all lemons, limes and citrus flowers. The palate shows elements of lemon sherbet, lime juiciness and medium acidity – the finish is off-dry.
Peter Lehmann Barossa Semillon 2005 – RRP $12.95 seen for $7.74 – \_/\_/\_/$
South Australia. Light lemony hues. Attractive and typical semillon nose of ripe lemons and hay. Palate is crisp and tangy with lovely youthful acidity. Great aperitif or entrée wine. Cellar to 2009.
Tallarook Roussanne 2005 – around $25 – \_/\_/\_/
Tallarook, Victoria. Very pale gold. Complex nose of lychee, tea, citrus and hints of smoky oak. Rich and full in the mouth with a mix of tropical fruit ripeness nicely supported by an edge of citric acidity.
Swords Pinot Noir 2005 – $14.99 (incl. $3 deposit) 1 litre swing-top returnable bottle – \_/\_/
Adelaide Hills, South Australia. Bright rosy colour. Fresh berry nose. Soft light and fruity palate, ideal for a spring or summer lunch.
Cardinham Sangiovese 2005 – $18-ish – \_/\_/\_/
Clare Valley South Australia. Mid-ruby, hint of purple. Savoury, perfumed, smoky nose. I liked the mouth-filling palate, a cool collation of cherries, plums and strawberries, drying grape and oak tannins and good length of flavour. Admirably suited to a rich pasta dish.
Fox Creek JSM Shiraz Cabernet Franc Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 – up to $22 – \_/\_/\_/
McLaren Vale, South Australia. Deep crimson. Ripe, spicy blackberry nose. Mellow velvety style of soft tannins and well-ripened berry conserve, supported by that faint chocolate flavour I often notice in McLaren Vale reds. Will drink well for the next four or so years.
Seppelt Mount Ida Shiraz 2004 – up to $50 – \_/\_/\_/\_/
Heathcote, Victoria. Dense, purple-edged appearance. Nose of berries, faint pepper and sweet oak vanillin. The palate is full-on with extravagant ripe blackberry fruit, assertive tannic astringency and an intense, concentrated finish.
Spitbucket rating systemFive gold spitbuckets: \_/\_/\_/\_/\_/ – brilliant
Four: \_/\_/\_/\_/ – classy
Three: \_/\_/\_/ – good drinking
Two: \_/\_/ everyday drinking
One: \_/ – spit it!
An added $ denotes excellent value for money.
Prices in Australian dollars