WBTG Flashcards
2020 Vinuva Pinot Grigio
Cost: $12
Region: Sicily, Italy
Body: Light
Sweetness: Dry
Acidity: Medium
Tannin: N/A
Alcohol: Medium
Tasting Descriptors: Pear/ Citrus/ Lemon Zest
Food Match: Mussels, chopped broccoli
Variety: Pinot Grigio
ABV:11.5%
About: The Vinuva is an IGT wine from Sicily. 100% Pinot Grigio, all tank fermented in stainless steel. The fruit is sourced from certified organic vineyards and is vegan
Pale yellow in colour with greenish hues, fresh fruit aromas, pear and citrus with a zesty acidity and mineral drive on the pallet.
Something Similar: 2018 Scorpio Pinot Gris from Mornington Peninsula $82
2020 Battles Shiraz, Tempranillo, Mourvedre Blend
Cost: $17/ 85
Region: Franklin & Margaret River, WA
Body: Full
Sweetness: Dry
Acidity: Medium
Tannin: High
Alcohol: High
Tasting Descriptors: Blackberry, plum, earthy, spice
Food Match: Scotch fillet, rib eye, rump cap
Variety: Shiraz, Mourvedre & Tempranillo
ABV:
About: sourced from the Powderbark vineyard in Frankland, from 25 year old shiraz vines and 5 year old Mourvedre bush vines. The Tempranillo is from the Wilagri vineyard in Margaret River from 10 year old vines.
Each batch of fruit was picked, crushed and fermented seperate, to provide the greatest flexibility at blending. Fermentation took place in open fermenters for 7-10 days then pressed to new and seasoned French oak barrels. The wine was matured for 10 months and then bottled to provide harmony between vibrancy and complexity.
Appearance: Clear, deep ruby, with a purple tinge
Nose: Clean and pronounced aromas of spiced plum, liquorice, earth and charcuterie. There is further toasty complexity from the barrel maturation.
Palate: The 2020 Battles Red Blend shows power, with intense fruit characters of blackberry and plum with savoury, earthy notes. A nicely weighted palate with rustic tannins provide length and balance.
Something Similar:
2021 Dirty Black Denim Electric Marsanne
Cost: $17/ 75
Region: Heathcote, VIC
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Tasting Descriptors: Aprioct kernal, grapefruit, slightly savory tannin with vibrant acidity. Light & tangy
Food Match: Prawns, chicken night, chopped broccoli
Variety: Marsanne
ABV: 13%
About: Sees 7 months on skins, one month was heavily mascerate. Then sat in tank for another 6 months. This is a Marsanne from Northern Heathcote on red dirt. Biodynamic farming, natural, vegan,
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Something Similar: 2021 Dr. Edge ‘Amber’ Schonburger/ Pinot Gris, Northern Tasmania $100
2020 Giovino ‘Rosso’ Nero D’Avola + Grillo
Cost: $16/ 72
Region: Sicily, Italy
Body: Medium
Sweetness: Dry
Acidity: Medium
Tannin: Low
Alcohol: Light
Tasting Descriptors: Strawberry & Rhubarb, summertime freshness, natural chilled red
Food Match: Heirloom Tomatoes, Pipe Regate
Variety: Nero D’avola, Grillo Bianco
ABV: 11.9%
About: Giovino is organically grown on the island of Sicily. Organic & Vegan
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Something Similar: 2020 Claus Preisinger Zweigelt
2020 Poderi Cellario Vino Rosso Barbera
Cost: $10
Region: Langhe - Piedmont, Italy
Body: Medium
Sweetness: Dry
Acidity: Medium
Tannin: Medium
Alcohol: Medium
Tasting Descriptors: Vibrant, cherry, earthy, spice
Food Match: Mortadella, terrine, lugenega saussage
Variety: Barbera
ABV:
About: Fausto and Cinzia Cellario are 3rd generation winemarkers in the village of Carru on the western outskirts of the Langhe. The family believes in only working with local, indigenous Piemontese grape varieties and fiercely defends local winemaking traditions both in the vineyard work and the cellar practices. Vineyard work is organic and all the fermentation takes place with indigenous yeasts. Sulphur is only added in tiny quantities at bottling if necessary.
100% Barbera, hand-harvest into small bins. Spontaneous fermentation. Ten days maceration. Aged in 100hl cement tanks for 1 year. Bottled with minimal sulphur and without filtering or fining.
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Something Similar: 2019 Luli Umberta Barbera $91
2019 Heaps Good Wine Co.
Cost: $17/ 80
Region: Ritoznoj, Slovenia
Body: Medium
Sweetness: Dry
Acidity: Medium
Tannin: N/A
Alcohol: Medium
Tasting Descriptors: Pineapple, flint, orange zest
Food Match: Heirloom tomatoes, whole trout, cod roe
Variety: Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Muscat Ottonel & Wurzer (white German grape crossing of Gewurztraminer & Muller-Thurgau)
ABV: 11.5%
About: Grown in the Pohorje Foothills, Lower Stryia. Vines are at 300-400m altitude with the climate continental. Varieties are hand picked and processed seperately, fermented spontaneously in seasoned french oak and aged on gross lees in barrels for 12 months.
Golden in colour, mixing rich fruit with reductives notes of flint and struck match. It’s an attractive fruit spectrum of pineapple, organes, citrus zest, apricots, progressing to stone fruits, with a mineral water-esque backbone. Starts texturally light and builds weight to the finish
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Something Similar: NV Dario Pronic Bianco Chardonnay Blend
NV Alpha Box & Dice ‘Tarot’ Prosecco
Cost: $12/ 65
Region: Murray-Darling, SA
Body: Light
Sweetness: Dry
Acidity: High
Tannin: n/a
Alcohol: Low
Tasting Descriptors: Fresh, bright & zippy, with a soft light mousse and mouthwatering acid. Apple blossom, lychees and a hint of honey on the nose. Classic Aussie prosecco
Food Match: Oysters, Cod Roe, Fish
Variety: Glera
ABV: 9.5%
About: Alpha Box & Dice is a winemaking project based in McLaren Vale that aims to showcase the ‘Alphabet of Wine’, each letter showcasing a different element in the diverse spider web that is South Australian Wine.
The Murray-Darling wine region has often been an area associated with high production winemaking, however as time has passed, more upstart winemakers are flooding to the region as it has established vineyards, infrastructure and wine culture. Conventional winemaking, Vegan
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Something Similar: Delamere Vineyards Cuvee: Also Australian sparkling, however made in the traditional method for more nutty, honeyed notes and a smoother creamier mousse
NV Quartz Reef Méthode Traditionnelle Brut
Cost: $16/ 100
Region: Central Otago, NZ
Body: Medium
Sweetness: Dry
Acidity: High
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Tasting Descriptors: Creamy in texture, yet still light and refreshing. ON the palate there is apple, fresh citrus, white stonefruit and brioche w zippy acidity, complexity and a long finish
Food Match: Oysters & light vegetable dishes
Variety: 72% Pinot Noir, 28% Chardonnay
ABV: 12.5%
About: Quartz Reef are a Biodynamically farmed vineyard in the Bendigo region of Central Otago on the south island of New Zealand. Quartz Reef have close planted vineyards with the aim of having lower yielding vines at higher quality fruit. The vineyard is named after NZs largest deposit of quartz under Bendigo station.
This cuvee is a blend of 72% Pinot Noir & 28% Chardonnay. The Pinot Noir gives richness to the wine while the Chardonnay adds the racy acidity. Conventional winemaking, not vegan.
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Something Similar: NV Louis Roederer ‘Brut Premier’ Champagne
NV Bonaire Tradition Brut Champagne
Cost: $27/ 165
Region: Champagne, France
Body: Full
Sweetness: Dry
Acidity: High
Tannin: n/a
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Tasting Descriptors: Fuller style Champagne. Ripe orange citrus, some leesy bread notes, gentle bitter notes. Ripe and rich across the palate with some chalkiness.
Food Match: Oysters
Variety: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir & Pinot Meunier
ABV: 12%
About: Full malolactic fermentation, stainless steel 8 months, 24 months on lees. Made from a blend of all 3 varietals with Chardonnay in the majority of the blend at 40%, Pinot Noir & PInot Meunier at 30% each. Fermented and vinified in stainless steel tank with approximately 15% vin de reserve and 8 grams/litre of dosage. Aged on lees for a minimum of 30 months as well as another 3 months after dosage before bottling.
Established since 1932, in Cramant in the Cote de Blancs, to the south of Epernay.
The Bonnaire estate is now run by the new generation of Jean-Etienne and Jean-Emmanuel who in recent years have taken over from their father Jean-Louis who has led the estate for more than 50 vintages establishing them as one of the leading producers in the Cote des Blancs.
Bonnaire use only their own estate grown fruit from 100% Grand Cru rated vineyards in Cramant and Cuis and Oiry, together with small holdings in the Marne Valley and Bergeres-les-Vertus for a little Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.
Conventional winemaking.
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Something Similar: NV Louis Roederer ‘Brut Premier’ Champagne
NV Stefano Lubiana Brut Reserve Pinot Noir/Chardonnay Derwent River, TAS
2019 Spinifex ‘Lola’ Semillon Blend
Cost: $14/ 67
Region: Barossa Valley, SA
Body: Medium
Sweetness: Dry
Acidity: Medium
Tannin: n/a
Alcohol: Medium
Tasting Descriptors: Ripe, fruit forward and textural. This wine is food friendly and absolutely delicious. Notes of Nashi pear, lime juice and peachy blossom are big highlights on the nose. Lemon, fennel, honeysuckle, wetgravel, herbal
Food Match: Seafood, Chicken, Vegetables
Variety: Semillon (58%), Vermentino (25%), Clairette (17%) & Viognier
ABV: 13%
About: Blended from old vine semillon, vermentino and clairette with viognier, this wine has excellent acid and freshness from the semillon, fruit from the vermentino and clairette and georgeous oily texture from the viognier to tie it all together.
This wine has higher acidity than most wines from the Barossa, as the winemaker has picked the fruit early to try and retain as much freshness and life as possible.
Conventional winemaking.
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Something Similar: Domaine Simha Simla Blanc - acid driven blend from Tasmania, ties together textral richness excellently with freshness and vivacity
2019 Domaine de la Quilla Muscadet Sevre et Maine sur lie
Cost: $18/ 79
Region: Loire Valley, France
Body: Light
Sweetness: Dry
Acidity: High
Tannin: n/a
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Tasting Descriptors: This is a mineral driven wine that is crying out for oysters. Crisp, ligh and very dry it has a saline element with lemon, apple, white peach, a slight curdy character and a chalky texture.
Food Match: Oysters, seafood, chicken, vegetables
Variety: Melon de Bourgogne
ABV: 12%
About: Domaine de la Quilla is a family owned winery located in Muscadet’s heartland. It has been run by the Vinet brothers for the last twenty years who took over from their father Gustave who established the estate in 1948. Daniel Vinet looks after the vines and Gerard Vinet, his younger brother is in charge of winemaking.
This wine is fermented at a cool temperature in glass lined concrete vats to maintain the freshness of the grapes and the distinctive characteristics of the vineyard. It spends 7-10 months on lees with occassional stiring - this creates texture and savoury flavours in the wine. A small amount of sulpher was added at bottling. Organic, Biodynamic and Vegan.
Domaine de la Quilla vineyards are farmed in a sustainable manner and the Vinet brothers balue the quality of their soil, working alongside the rhythms of nature. They allow grass to grow between the vines thus keeping the soil moist and not needing to irrigate very regularly.
Terminology: Muscadet Sevre et Maine sur lie - Muscadet wines are made from 100% Melon de Bourgogne, “Sur Lie” means aged on the lees giving the wine a wonderful textured character. “Sevre et Maine” are the rivers defining the Muscadet regions borders
Something Similar: 2019 Domaine Simha ‘Simla’ Field Blend, Tasmania
2018 Domaine Besson Chablis
2018 Sensale Grillo
Cost: $10/ 49
Region: Sicily, Italy
Body: Medium
Sweetness: Dry
Acidity: Medium
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Tasting Descriptors: Ripe fruit, lemon, white blossom, green pear. Medium-full bodied with lingering acid and a satisfying savoury palate. Classic Italiano table wine.
Food Match: Seafood, Cod Roe, Fresh Starters
Variety: Grillo
ABV:
About: Sicily is a region with rich wine heritage for wines of all kind. Sicily has over 30 varieties native to the region. Sicily has heaps to offer in terms of fun wine but also some of the most sought after single vineyard wines in the world. In the 19th century, the Sicilian fortified wine ‘Marsala’ which uses Grillo as its key grape rivalled the popularity and production levels of Sherry and Port.
Conventional winemaking.
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Something Similar: 2019 Chalmers Vermentino - Australian example of a classic Italian variety, has similar citrus notes however more salinity than a savoury element.
2021 Little Reddie ‘New! Leanganook’ Chardonnay
Cost: $15/ 73
Region: Dja Dja Wurrung, VIC
Body: Light
Sweetness: Dry
Acidity: Medium
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Alcohol: Low
Tasting Descriptors: This is a tight & focused Chardonnay with heaps of lemon, lime, fresh curds and oatmeal, there is great length and a chalky/granetic minerality. Green apple, nectarine, herbal
Food Match: Roast chicken, rainbow trout, cod roe
Variety: Chardonnay
ABV: 11.6%
About: Pat Underwood thinks very deeply about his craft as is evident about this musings about the vineyard from where this chardonnay comes. ‘Leanganook (Mt Alexander) was described to me by Tim Sproal as the granitic backbone of the Harcourt/ Sutton Grange region. This bedrock of granite - termed Harcourt Granodiorite sits right up against the ‘gold rush’ soils term Castlemainian Group… Leanganook (has) wonderfully individual granite which produces whites with distinctly refreshing, spicy aromatics and tensile, focused mouth feel. Rock on.’
Pat aimed to create a wine that highlights the freshness and granetic minerality of the vineyard. To do this he kept the ferments cooler and used a variety of vessels including old oak and stainless steel. A portion was kept on lees, giving the wine an oatmeal character. He allowed the wine to go through Malo but didn’t encourage it. To maintain freshness he added a small amount of sulphur.
Little Reddie is a wine producer headed by Pat Underwood (formerly of City Wine Store) who focuses on making a variety of Lo-Fi, terroir-driven Wines. Vegan wine.
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Something Similar: 2018 Gembrook Hill Chardonnay, Yarra Valley
2019 Domaine Guegeun Bourgogne Aligote, Burgundy
2021 Aromata Pinot Gris/ Gewürztraminer
Cost: $15/ 75
Region: Yarra Valley, VIC
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Tasting Descriptors: Floral on the nose. It is dry with great texture and intensity. Ripe lemon, white stonefruit, strawberries and a touch of herbal.
Food Match: Charcuterie, fish, lighter meats
Variety: Pinot Gris & Gewurztraminer
ABV: 12%
About: From Dave Mackintosh “the Pinot Gris gives sweetness, structure and backbone while the Gewurztraminer has added floral and spice aromatics”
The 2021 growing season and harvest were a complete turnaround from the hardships of 2020. It wasn’t without worries as the return of the La Nina weather pattern brought back thoughts of 2011 and led to a wetter than average year. Thankfully the rains were perfectly and evenly timed. The mild season avoided major heat spikes and produced healthy canopies and strong vines that ripened plentiful fruit. An exceptional vintage.
Did you know Pinot Gris & Gewurztraminer both have lovely red skin thus when the wine is made with some maceration, or skin contact the wine gets a lovely blush colour.
Low SO2, Conventional, Vegan.
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Something Similar: 2020 Domaine les Fouques ‘Covee Tradition’ Grenache blend Roase
2020 Cobaw Ridge ‘Il Pinko’ Syrah Rose
2021 Konpira Maru ‘Over & Over’ Pinot Noir
Cost: $15
Region: Whitlands, VIC
Body: Medium
Sweetness: Dry
Acidity: Medium
Tannin: Medium
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Tasting Descriptors: A dense and dark fruit palate with blood plum and blueberry, soft baking spice and a gentle earthiness. It is medium bodied with soft powdery tannins and great balancing acidity.
Food Match: Charcuterie, steak, rotis, cheeseburger, lighter meats
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ABV: 13.5%
About: Cool climate - 28 day ferment in stainless, then into old french oak for malo plus two new Hungarian barrels.
The Eminence vineyard is the highest altitude vineyard in Victoria at 830 meters above sea level and one of Australia’s coolest. This means the vines can develop flavour slowly and gain full ripeness allowing the winemaker more flexibility and precision with picking dates.
Whitlands High Plateau isn’t an official wine region, but probably should be. It has its own distinct soil type that forms the western ridge of the King Valley, it is a 12km long, high altitude plateau that runs between Mansfield & Whitfield. Vegan wine
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Something Similar: 2020 Timo Mayer Doktor Pinot Noir
2018 Real Agrado Tino Garnacha
Cost: $15/ 72
Region: Rioja Esp
Body: Medium
Sweetness: Dry
Acidity: Medium
Tannin: Medium
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Tasting Descriptors: Vibrant & floral purple-red fruit on the nose. Bramble, cherry, blackberry and plum. Medium weighted and excellent with food.
Food Match: Chicken, steak, cheeseburger, terrine, pasta
Variety: 80% Garnacha, 20% Tempranillo
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About: Born and bred in Rioja, winemaker Chema Pangua is also responsible for viticulture within the Real Agrado project. Real means ‘true’ or ‘real’, indicative of the use of estate-owned grapes only and the desire to reflect location in their wines. Agrado refers to the pleasure you get out of doing something you love.
80% Garnacha and 20% Tempranillo from La Lobera and Canterabuey, planted in 1992 and 1975 respectively, fermented separately in stainless steel.
Conventional winemaking & vegan.
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Something Similar: Brune Duchene ‘La Luna’ Grenache’ - a lo-fil approach to grenache with super old vines and excellent concentration
2018 Mansalto Chianti Sangiovese blend
Cost: $17
Region: Tuscany, Italy
Body: Medium
Sweetness: Dry
Acidity: Medium
Tannin: Medium
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Tasting Descriptors: Bright cherry with a campari-like bitterness, a dusty earthiness and spice. Tannins are short and sharp.
Food Match: Charcuterie, Steak
Variety: 90% Sangiovese & 10% Merlot
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About: Fermented in stainless steel tanks with the aim of retaining the primary fruit character of the grapes.
Mansalto is a winery that sits outside of a medieval fort in the heart of Tuscany. The winery, overseen by the Fantinel family is a juxtaposition between the traditions of the past and modern winemaking techniques. Their vineyards are dry grown and farmed with sustainable techniques.
Situated in Tuscany, Chianti is one of the most recognisable wine regions in the world. Here Sangiovese is king however it is often blended with many other grape varieties both local and in the modern age, French varieties includeing Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Conventional winemaking and Vegan.
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Something Similar: 2018 Fattoria Ormanni Chianti Classico Sangiovese Blend
NV Payten & Jones Year 5 ‘Leuconoe’ Sangiovese
2021 Tropo ‘Big Red’ Shiraz/Merlot
Cost: $13/ 58
Region: Adelaide Hills, SA
Body: Medium
Sweetness: Dry
Acidity: Medium
Tannin: Low
Alcohol: Medium
Tasting Descriptors: Vibrant, fresh and bright red to blue fruit of cherry plum and blueberry. It isn’t all primary fruit with gentle baking spice, a darker olive tapenade character and soft tannins. Great concentration, plush and fun.
Food Match: Steak, cheeseburger
Variety: Shiraz & Merlot
ABV: 13.5%
About: This is a blend of shiraz and merlot made in an elegant style that highlights the cool climate region of the Adelaide Hills.
Tropo is the Adelaide Hills Label of Unico Zelo. They aim to make fun and easy wines that are great for midweek sessions.
Unico Zelo have a strong focus on sustainability aiming to reduce their footprint in both the vineyard and the winery. Conventional winemaking.
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Something Similar: 2018 Laughing Jack ‘Jack’s’ Barossa Valley SA
2021 Dirty Black Denim Dolcetto/Syrah King Valley VIC
2020 Vasse Felix ‘Cane Cut’ Semillon
Cost: $16
Region: Margaret River, WA
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Tasting Descriptors: This wine is sweet, but not too sweet, with racy lime and lemon, stonefruit and richer flavours of orange marmalade, honey, toffee and vanilla
Food Match: Cheese, Panacotta
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ABV:
About: Cane cut: Traditional wine making method whereby the canes on the vine are cut at optimal ripeness and the fruit is left to dry on the cane, increasing the sweetness and flavour intensity of the grapes. Vasse Felix is the first winery in the Margaret River being established in 1967 by Dr. Tom Cullity, a pioneer of the region.
Vasse Felix are in the process of converting to organics and should be certified by 2021. Organic, Conventional Winemaking.
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2020 Goon Tycoons ‘Super Model’ Riesling
Cost: $15/ 66
Region: Frankland River WA
Body: Medium
Sweetness: Dry
Acidity: High
Tannin: n/a
Alcohol: Medium
Tasting Descriptors: Yellow Peach, Lemon, Wet Stone
Food Match: Trout, Oyster, Cod Roe
Variety: Riesling
ABV:
About: Given the chivalrous treatment by our besotted winemaker - its been cold fermented, low solids and free run only. Wet stone, slate, refreshing florals and citrus. Our picture perfect Riesling. This glamour is all about fruity purity and crisp acidity to remind you that you’re alive.
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Something Similar: Gunderloch Als War’s Ein Stuck Von Mir Riesling
2020 Juliene Mingot le Petit Comptoir Vin Rouge
Region: Bordeaux, France
Body: Full
Sweetness: Dry
Acidity: Medium
Tannin: Medium
Alcohol: Medium
Tasting Descriptors: Blackcurrent leaf, plum, violette
Food Match: Club Steak, Mussels
Variety: Merlot & Cab Frank
ABV:
About: Le Petit Comptoir is a light shade of Bordeaux from third generation Bordeaux vigneron, Juliene Mingot. A blend of Merlot & Cabernet Franc from estate fruit which is being farmed organically. It’s all about fresh, juicy and shows striking ripe fruit and violet perfume. A delicious little drinking red here from the natty fringes of one of the world’s most conservative wine-growing regions.
Founded by Raymond Mingot in 1964, Vignoble Mingot is now run by third generation winemaker Julien Mingot. They are situated at the historic Chateau Marechaux on the right bank of Bordeaux in the area of Savignac-de-l’isle, just north of Pomerol, where they farm aprox 21 hectares, dominantly of Merlot.
Something Similar: 2020 Nocturne Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
2021 Blind Corner Blanc
Region: Margaret River, WA
Body: Medium
Sweetness: Dry
Acidity: Medium
Tannin: N/A
Alcohol: Medium
Tasting Descriptors: Lemon peel, apple, gooseberry
Food Match: Cod Roe, Mussels, Cheeseburger
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc
ABV: 12%
About: Biodynamic, this is Ben Gould’s riff on the Margaret River Classic Dry White - but replace ‘classic’ with ‘delicious’ and you’ll be closer. The blend this year is about 88/12 Sauv Blanc and Chenin Blanc. Both parcels were drawn from blocks of established 20-plus-year-old, biodynamic vines at Quindalup, on sand and gravel over granite.
After hand-picking, each variety was naturally fermented in stainless steel, then blended and bottled without fining. There was a little skin contact and a touch of old oak, both adding interest and complexity. It’s quite amazing what quality, farming and minimalist winemaking can achieve - here you get delicate notes of citrus peel and nettle, good pulp and a lovely vibrant freshness throughout.
Something Similar: 2020 Thierry Germain Cep by Cep Anjou Blanc
2021 Rieslingfreak No.4 Eden Valley Riesling
Region: Eden Valley
Body: Light
Sweetness: Dry
Acidity: High
Tannin: N/A
Alcohol: Medium
Tasting Descriptors: Quince, lime, sherbet, white blossom
Food Match: Fish pie, trout, oysters
Variety: Riesling
ABV: 11%
About: John Hughes has a deep love of Riesling. His unwavering commitment to it has seen him become one of the country’s finest artisanal producers of the variety.
Talc and slate. Great lemon, limes, with a lingering acid backbone. The vibrancy of the palate has you salivating for more. A wine which will go the distance now and in time Eden Valley Rieslings often showcase delicacy and refinement. Rieslingfreak No.4 typically demonstrates this, by the wine showing aromas of citrus and white blossom, with flavours of brown limes and lemons, with a backgroud of sweet spice. The wine drinks well young but will reward with cellaring.
Fermented in stainless steel so there are no oak characteristics.
Something Similar: Gunderlochs Als War Ein Stuk von Mir
2021 Light Hand Pinot Noir
Region: Yarra Valley
Body: Medium
Sweetness: Dry
Acidity: Medium
Tannin: Medium
Alcohol: Medium
Tasting Descriptors: Red current, plum, strawberry
Food Match: Cheeseburger
Variety: Pinot Noir
ABV:
About: Bright red berry fruits with savoury and earthy notes from 30% whole bunches. Well integrated oak, fine tannins, & lingering notes of strawberry - Tim Shand, Winemaker
Something Similar: 2017 Curly Flat Pinot Noir
2020 Artuke, Rioja, Tempranillo
Region: Rioja, Spain
Body: Medium
Sweetness: Dry
Acidity: Medium
Tannin: Medium
Alcohol: Medium
Tasting Descriptors: Raspberry, Cherry, Blackcurrant
Food Match: Musscles with sausage, porchetta roll, speck
Variety: Tempranillo
ABV:
About: Artuke is a rarity in Rioja, a small, terroir-focused winery. Owned and run by brothers Arturo & Kike, Artuke only uses grapes from their vineyards in and around the small town of Banos de Ebro, tucked under the Sierra Cantabria on the northern edges of Rioja. The Artuke aim is simple: to make vibrant wines expressive of the village, uncluttered by oak, extraction or other artifice. The brothers farm organically and their elevated, cool climate vineyards produce wonderfully bright versions of Rioja.
Something Similar: 2006 Bodegas Urbina ‘Reserva’ Tempranillo Rioja Esp $175
2020 The Winery of Good Hope
Region: Stellenbosch, South Africa
Body: Medium
Sweetness: Dry
Acidity: Medium
Tannin: n/a
Alcohol: Medium
Tasting Descriptors: Pear, honeysuckle, spice
Food Match: Cod Roe
Variety: Chenin Blanc
ABV:
About: Bright pale straw colour with a watery hue. Aromas of ripe pear, baked apple and dried honey are followed by subtle spice end notes. Nicely rounded in its mouthfeel the palate serves up juicy pear and tropical fruits over light honeysuckle and spice characters. Finishes dry and fresh with a fruit driven aftertaste. These grapes are grown in the Helderberg area on decomposed granite soils where they benefit from the cooling breezes of the ocean, which moderate our hot climate. Our bush vine chenin blanc grapes were picked at different levels of ripeness to build good acidity, fruit and depth.
Something Similar: 2018 Francois Chidaine ‘Les Argiles’ Chenin Blanc, Loire Valley Fra $190
2019 Aller Trop Loin of Skins & Hearts
Region: Bendigo, VIC
Body: Medium
Sweetness: Dry
Acidity: Medium
Tannin: Low
Alcohol: Medium
Tasting Descriptors: Strawberry gum, red plum, cherry, cranberry, spice
Food Match: Scotch fillet, rib eye, rump cap
Variety: Malbec, Mouvedre, Cab Franc
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About: All aller trop loin wines see no oak and are bottled unfined and unfiltered, hence the label’s motto of ‘Unoaked. Unfined. Unfiltered. Unholy.’ And with nothing added and nothing taken away, each wine tells a story of both vineyard and vintage.
Although it started from a mistake and was just a joke in the beginning, aller trop loin is now a producer in its own right. Because we are restricted (due to strict kosher rules and regulations) with our other label, we push the boundaries even more than usual with these wines. The aim is to craft wines that meet traditional winemaking and crazy, hipster winemaking halfway. We keep the wines nice and clean whilst still allowing them to show their individual personalities.
Something Similar: Ochota Barrels Texture Like Sun
2020 Gueissard Petit G Rose
Region: Franklin & Margaret River, WA
Body: Light
Sweetness: Dry
Acidity: High
Tannin: Low
Alcohol: Medium
Tasting Descriptors: Mandarin/ Red Currant/ Strawberry/ Pear
Food Match: Greek Salad, Pipe Rigate
Variety: 35% Grenache, 35% Syrah, 30% Cinsault
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About: Gueissard was born of a passion for the art of winemaking and a determination to produce only the best wines from Cotes de Provance and Bandol. After interning at Bandol producer Domaine Tempier for two years and then working as assistant winemaker for another three, Clement Pauline Giraud decided to set out on their own and begin producing and releasing wines under their own label. The goal is to work organically, but for the moment they are firmly in the sustainable camp, converting their vineyards little by little to organic viticulture. Aims to nurture the delicate palette and fragrances of Provence in all of their wines. Their approach is based on philosophy rooted in traditional know-how combined with modern techniques. All the grapes are hand harvested.
Something Similar: Chateau Montfin L’Etang Danse Rose 2020
2019 Moorooduc Estate Devil Bend Creek Pinot Noir
Region: Mornington Peninsula, VIC
Body: Medium
Sweetness: Dry
Acidity: High
Tannin: Medium
Alcohol: Medium
Tasting Descriptors: Raspberry, Cherry, Blackcurrant
Food Match: Cheeseburger, Rump Cap, Terrine
Variety: Pinot Noir
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About: Mid garnet with a lifted nose of red cherry and a touch of crushed raspberries. On the palate, the wine is bright red crunchy cherries, backed up with soy mushroom savouriness. Long on the finish, with silky, fine tannin structure. Hand harvested and detstemmed, 100% Wild Yeast primary fermentation, 20 days total on skins. Natural malolactic fermentation in barrel. 100% French oak maturation, all old. 10 months in wood with 1 racking. No fining or filtration.
Something Similar: 2021 Combes Moonah PN
2019 Toolangi Shiraz
Region: Yarra Valley, VIC
Body: Medium
Sweetness: Dry
Acidity: Medium
Tannin: Medium
Alcohol: Medium
Tasting Descriptors: Blackcurrant, clove, black plum
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About: Hand-harvested naturally fermented with 10% whole bunches and 90% whole berries in both open and closed fermenters. It was then matured in French oak and spent 10 months on lees. The result is a finely drawn, cool climate Shiraz with smoky charcuterie aromas layered with dried herbs and black fruits, a hint of restrained oak, pepper and spice. The palate is long and elegant, with a pristine core of dark berries and plums, tightly knit with gentle oak and supported by fine, dusty tannins. It finishes savoury with refreshing acidity.
Something Similar: Yves Cuilleron Syrah ‘Ripa Sinistra’ 2016
Clos de la Coutale Malbec 2019
Region: Cahors Fra
Body: Medium
Sweetness: Dry
Acidity: Medium
Tannin:
Alcohol: Medium
Tasting Descriptors: Anise, black cherry, casis, blueberry
Food Match: T-Bone, Rib Eye
Variety: 80% Malbec, 15% Merlot with a touch of Tannat
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About: The intensity of the Malbec and the muscle of the Tannat are softened by some plump, juicy Merlot and the result is a delight - full flavoured for sure, but accessible and wonderfully warming. Lifted black, almost jubey fruit and fine, soft tannins offer a delicate example of Cahor. It’s dry, full flavoured and structured, and has a savoury element - still Cahors - but a much smoother take.
“Clos La Coutale is one of the oldest and finest producers in Cahors and their wines convey a wonderful sense of elegance. A blend of Malbec and Merlot that is aged in oak barrels to obtain a full balance between tannins and fruit, this Cahors Malbec is a hearty, rustic red.”
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Something Similar: Francois Villard St Joseph
2017 The Story Wines MRV
Region: Grampians Vic
Body: Medium
Sweetness: Dry
Acidity: Medium
Tannin: Low
Alcohol: Medium
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Variety: Marsane/ Roussanne/ Viognier
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About: The three varieties are grown, harvested and fermented together, with an approximate 60/20/20% blend. The juice was fermented in very old French oak, followed by mlf. There was so little intervention it easily crossed the bridge to natural wine (the deep colour a guide), with texture and structure the highlights.
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2020 Selon Letang Cinsault
Region: Languedoc-Roussilon
Body: Light
Sweetness: Dry
Acidity: Medium
Tannin: Low
Alcohol: Low
Tasting Descriptors: Redcurrant, Raspberry, Anise
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Variety: Cinsault
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About: “Delicat et Croquant’ (delicate and crunchy) is how winemaker Guillaume Letang likes to describe this 100% Cinsault. Sourced from the village of Saint George d’Orques near Montpellier at the start of the Languedoc. Cinsault traditionally has been part of blended reds such as Minervois and Corbieres, adding perfume plus it’s a thin skin/ low tannic grape, perfect for rose and light bodied reds. Unoaked, vibrant redcurrant, raspberry & tart cherry fruit with a wild, delicately tannic herbaceous edge. If you are looking for alternatives to Pinot Noir or Gamay for a delicate red this is worth looking at.
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Something Similar: Alessandro Viola Note di Rosso (Sicily)
2020 SPARKLING CHENIN, VOYAGER ESTATE ‘PROJECT’
Price: 17/ 80
Region: Margaret River WA
Varieties: Chenin Blanc
Flavours: Lemon zest, grapefruit, meringue, crisp acidity, red apple, brioche
Profile: Elegant and savory, crisp aperitif style sparkling wine
Winery/Story: Established in 1978. All wines are 100% estate grown, made and bottled, and reflect the unique qualities of the lance in Stevens Valley with its undulating slopes, warm summers and cooling maritime breezes. Voyager Estate remains a small, family-owned and independently-run business, now lead by Michael Wright’s (founder) daughter Alexandra Burt who continues to make wines of place using low-interference methods to let the grapes speak for themselves. From the practices in our vineyard, to the way we care for our planet and our people, sustainability is at the core of Voyager Estate.
Body: Medium
Acidity: Medium
Sweetness/Tannin: Dry
Alcohol: 13%
Winemaking: Progressive, Organic (Will be certified organic by 2023), no oak, contains sulfites, traditional method from Weightmans Block 1
Hand-harvested, the fruit was gently whole-bunch pressed and settled overnight before fermentation in stainless steel tanks. Following a short maturation in tank, the wine was bottled in late May where it remained on lees until October when it was disgorged with a light dosage of 4-5 g/L sugar.
Save Our Souls Pinot Noir 2019
Region: Mornington Peninsula
Body: Light
Sweetness: Dry
Acidity: High
Tannin: Low
Alcohol: Medium
Tasting Descriptors: Red Currant, Sage, Sweet Spices
Food Match: Eggplant Pasta, Luganega Saussage
Variety: Pinot Noir
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About: Bill Downie started “Save Our Souls” with Jason Searle. it’s all about the grapes. Nothing is added to their wine up until bottling, so it’s vegan, it’s single vineyard, but it’s all about drinkability.
2019 SOS Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir is crafted with fruit from one, single, abundant vineyard on the Hastings Tuerong border. Typical bright crimson colour and a fragrant aroma of red berries and spice speak clearly of the Mornington Peninsula. A tight structured wine that slowly unravels. Light on its feet the 2019 shows a perfumed nose with hints of freshly cut sage.
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Something Similar: Coombs Moonah Pinot Noir
2018 Greenstone Cordon Cut Viognier
Region: Yarra Valley
Body: Medium
Sweetness: Sweet
Acidity: High
Tannin: n/a
Alcohol: Medium
Tasting Descriptors: Cumquat, Candied lemon, Vanilla, Dried Apricots
Food Match: Bay of Fires Cheddar, Mascarpone
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About: A dessert/ late harvest style, achieved by cutting the cordons reaches the desired ripeness. This dehydrates the grapes increasing sugar and acid levels, as well as encouraging a little botrytis. The exotic flavours of Viognier work fantastically for this style. Vibrant in the glass. A glossy pale gold colour with a lime hue. Aromas of spring blossom, cumquat, musk, candied orange and lime all abound. The palate is intense with orange citrus fruits, stringy bark honey, and a touch of noble rot (Botrytis) all flowing with wine length. A harmonious balance between the acid and sugar ensures the finish of this wine is clean and fresh, leaving the taste buds wanting more.
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Something Similar: 2018 Carmes de rieussec Sauternes Bordeaux Fra 95
2021 Unico Zelo ‘Esoterico’
Region: Adelaide Hills, Clare Valley & Riverland
Body: Medium
Sweetness: Dry
Acidity: Medium
Tannin: Medium
Alcohol: Medium
Tasting Descriptors:
Food Match: Mandarin, Yellow Peach, Dried Apricot
Variety: Zibbibo, Gewurtztraminer, Moscato Giallo, Greco, Chardonnay
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About: We make no additions of any kind - save for sulphur when we botle the wine. tHere is no fining or filtration involved, with the wine allowed to clarify by gravity alone - resulting in a slight haze and sediment. This is one of the most enjoyable wines to craft, as there was no preconceived idea of what it must taste like - the chief driver is pure drinkability - a ‘scrumptious’ quality - a mouthwatering acidity and ‘say hello!’ tannins…
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Something Similar: 2021 Dr. Edge ‘Amber’ Schonburger/ Pinot Gris N. Tas
