New Blog

1 JANUARY

MORE TASTINGS

Having done so well on our previous tastings we felt the need to up our game.

Domaine du Vieux Lazaret Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Chateauneuf-du-Pape is a classic French wine from the southern Rhône Valley. The region is known for the stones that cover vineyards to absorb heat during the day and release it at night. Domaine du Vieux Lazaret Chateauneuf-du-Pape is a quality wine from this Domaine and we were tasting the 2019 which retails at $44.95. The Appelation allows for the inclusion of many varietals, but Grenache predominates with Syrah and Mourvèdre being the most common blending grapes.

Our initial contender was the 2021 Grenache Mourvèdre Limited Release from the Provence region. Although well matched by grape and location, as a medium-bodied wine, it was no match for the C-du-P. Into the fray stepped the LE22 Grenache Carignan. The Manchuela region of Spain is a better region for Grenache than the Rhône, although we wouldn’t recommend making this observation in France.

The nose of the C-du-P bursts with dark berries and plums, but there are rich and enthralling undertones of smoke and ash. Put simply this is just a very, very good traditional style wine. Even at 4-years old tannins predominate; this is no trendy smooth red. On tasting, it is those robust aged tannins that take the lead, but there is sufficient acidity to provide balance. There are a host of fruits that provide secondary character including raspberry, plum, strawberry and dark berries. Full-bodied, rich and enticing. Excellent, but the batch price would be $1,393.

No nose of the Grenache Carignan is also big with blackberries, earthy notes and a pine subtle aroma of needles rather than overpowering resin. This wine is close in character to the Chateauneuf-du-Pape in that there are big silky tannins for which acidity and fruit provide balance. Again, it's black berries that arrive before the wave of tannins and acidity. The finish is dry, with rich mocha notes. Is it good? It’s fabulous. And this wine was only 18 months old. Price per batch $234.99.

In some ways it is a relief to say that the Chateauneuf-du-Pape was the winner. It was the depth and complexity that really made the difference. If we call that a 5/5, the surprise was that the Grenache Carignan really wasn’t far behind. You could tell the difference, but the gap wasn’t a huge one. At 4.5/5 for a wine costing ⅙ price, it was a spectacular result.

The Conclusion: A hefty investment will beat a wine from Un-Wine-D, but the margin is less than we expected.

3 December

BEST BLOGS EVER - CONCLUSION

We never expected a 4-0 victory. Perhaps we should have bought more expensive wines, but even these wines work out way more expensive than our wine. The price difference ranged from almost double to almost four times the cost. We know there are good wines available, but the quality of the Winexpert wines really does shine through.

It was a lot of fun. We will undoubtedly repeat the exercise. Let us know when it gets boring...

30 November

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ROUND 4

Estate Bottled: This is a 2022 Argentine Cab Sauv that is estate bottled wine from the Mendoza region. Cost per kit $480.50

Gore Road Bottled: The Lodi California PRIVATE RESERVE Cabernet Sauvignon was bottled in March, so this was a seven-month-old wine. $234.99.

The Argentine wine had an attractive nose; raspberry jam and raspberry ice cream. However, the best we can say for the taste was that it might age well. The wine was overwhelmed by tannins. If there was fruit and acidity, it was hard to find. The produced something that was ultimately thin and unfulfilling. The LCBO review indicates 2/5 flavour and 3/5 tannins with coffee, toast and nuts. We’d hate to try a 5/5 tannin wine! The PRIVATE RESERVE couldn’t have been more different. There was balance; plum and jam, soft rounded tannins and a gentle finish. Simple a good, full-bodied, drinkable red.

23 November

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ROUND 3

The Ripasso: Ripasso Valpolicella is a Valpolicella steeped over Amarone grape pressings to give more body and complexity. The ‘superiore’ was a genuine Italian Denominazione di origine controllata from 2020. Clearly, this would be a tough test. Although at an equivalent price of $680.45 for a kit, we certainly expected it to perform.

The Luna: RESERVE Luna Rossa is not identified as a Ripasso Valpolicella, because it can’t be, but the word in the industry is that it is very, very similar. This wine had aged for four months and from our dim recollection had improved during that time. Cost per kit $194.99

The Ripasso had a light, but attractive nose of ripe berries. A good start. Tasting yields a light, but balanced wine. There are blackberries and berries with soft tannins and adequate acidity. This wine could be summed up as ‘light but balanced’. Certainly drinkable, certainly acceptable, but not a big hit.

The Luna packed a far more enticing nose with berries and marked anise. Those flavours repeat on tasting with subtle leather and smoke. There are more tannins and more body than the Ripasso, suggesting that the Luna could improve even more as it aged.

This one wasn’t really close. The Ripasso got a soild ‘ok’, but the Luna just had more of everything, and in the right proportions. The whole point of the Ripasso process is to produce a big wine so the commercial wine really missed the point.

19 NOVEMBER

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ROUND 2

Bought by the Bottle. German Liebfraumilch. No date, but the Rhine region is indicated. Cost per kit = $338.10
Winexpert Kit: CLASSIC California Liebfraumilch. Made in 4-weeks, aged less than a week. $141.49

Let’s be fair, the commercial wine’s nose was light, but pleasant. There were hints of spice and a slight lychee edge that suggested real promise. That was perhaps why the taste was such as shock. We thought this style of German wine disappeared in the 70’s with kipper ties and the Ford Pinto. We like off-dry wine, but the sweetness was overpowering. And it was rated as 3/5 sweetness!

The CLASSIC Liebfraumilch didn’t have much nose, but it had only been bottled a week before. This Californian wine was far drier than the German version with gentle sweetness, lemon and pear, and a crisp acidic finish.

Once again it was really no contest, even ignoring the price difference. A great wine versus another bottle down the sink. Part 3 coming up soon.

P.S. Our blog is starting to generate customer feedback. "Your CLASSIC Pinot Noir is better than the Wolf Blass Pinot Noir". $712.38 versus $145.49. Go figure.

13 NOVEMBER

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The Background: It a requirement of Alcohol and Gaming Commission that any wine tasting be conducted with LCBO wines. We, of course, obliged for our Open House. At the end of the day, some wine was left over, and it seemed logical that we do a paired tasting with our own wines. To be honest, we were filled with trepidation. It will come as no surprise to find that we don’t shop at the liquor store. How much better would their wines be?

The Rules: We selected four pairs that were good varietal matches. It is illegal to sell our wine by the bottle or express the cost of our kits on a per bottle basis. So, the commercial wines have been recalculated as a price per kit. The big wineries have deep pockets and sharp-suited lawyers, so we will not specifically identify each commercial wine. A little detective work might provide answers, but that is up to you. Where possible we have given the ‘vintage’ of the commercial wine, otherwise we can assume the wine was produced in fall 2022. We have also tried to provide an accurate estimate of how long our wines were aged. Finally, we can’t claim that this was a blind tasting; with two of us on a Sunday evening it is hard to achieve great secrecy.

We will post as each pair as our notes get written up....

13 NOVEMBER

ROUND 1

The Contender: Sauvignon Blanc from a very well-known Ontario wine company. You’d find their wine in every LCBO. Cost per kit = $401.45. No age or location.

The Local Favourite: PRIVATE RESERVE Sauvignon Blanc, Adelaide Hills, Australia. Cost per kit = $234.99. This wine was aged for about nine months.

The first test is the nose, if there is one and what it’s like. The commercial Sauvignon Blanc certainly has nose, but its not entirely pleasant. There are mild floral notes, with minerality and a turpentine edge that we didn’t enjoy. In the mouth there was initially nothing, then light flavours of peach, pear and lime acidity built in. The finish was decidedly bitter. Overall, the wine didn’t have much body and seemed decidedly raw. The rest went down the sink.

Nine months had allowed a rich nose of pear, stone fruit and tropical fruit to develop in the PRIVATE RESERVE. This is a classical warmer climate Sauvignon Blanc; a fruit forward rather than the grassy, herbaceous wine for which New Zealand is famed. In the mouth it bursts with rich tropical fruit, low acidity and a hint of banana sweetness. The finish is soft, clean and lightly acidic.

The Comparison: This one was no contest; a wine that is a pleasure to drink versus something that we could only describe as nasty.

5 NOVEMBER

COSMOPOLITAN

TWISTED MIST

4 Weeks

Once again the TWISTED MIST line has produced a delicious lower-alcohol wine in a cocktail style. Cosmopolitan is supposed to offer flavours of cranberry and lime with a 'triple sec' kick. And that is exactly what is does. No overwhelming sweetness, just crisp flavours. Perfect for those who enjoy a glass of 'something', but wish to reduce the alcohol. Another Fiona favourite.

18 OCTOBER

MALBEC-CARMÉNÈRE and CABERNET ZINFANDEL

LIMITED RELEASE

4 Weeks

Limited release and limited stocks. Two very different reds, two great wines. For some Malbec is too distinctive, but this blend of Malbec and Carménère from the Maipo Valley in Chile combines the best of both varietals to give a complex, structured wine. The nose of packed with blackberry, black fruits with hints of peach and earthy smoke. On tasting flavours are more of plum combined with black fruits and a marked earthy quality. Big rounded tannins build and are followed by a surprisingly dry, but fruity finish. All-in-all a real delight.

Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel will always give a big and structured wine. Lodi, California is a excellent climate for both varietals. Plum and anise predominate on the nose with a hint of Cab Sauv green pepper. In the mouth fruit, tannins and acidity are perfectly balanced. There are big flavours of plum and berries, enough tannins to give body, and an acidity that is represented by tart fruit flavours throughout.

These two provide a perfect illustration of how different two great wines can be. Try them both.

17 SEPTEMBER

BOURBON CHARDONNAY

LIMITED RELEASE

8 Weeks

One of us was not immediately impressed by this wine (Fiona), whilst Nora fell in love with it. As it turns out, Nora was right. This a fabulous wine. Citrus and oak on the nose hint at what is to follow. An initial burst of citrus gives way to rounded creamy oak and a surprisingly clean finish. Th bourbon oak certainly adds to the character, but in no way overwhelms the wine. Sadly, by the time get to blogging the wine, it is also sold out. Perhaps it is one for Nora the Explora.

5 SEPTEMBER

ALL FIVE LE22s

LIMITED EDITION

8 Weeks

Finally, we collected all five LE22s and sat down to try them all. What a contrast, what a success.

Cabernet Merlot (Wall Walla, Washington). This was the wine we underestimated. ‘Medium-bodied approachable red’ doesn’t sound much of a compliment, but it is certainly intended as one. It is just a wine that is easy to drink on its own or with food. There is a beautiful nose of blackberry, raspberry and cherry. In the mouth these soft fruits combine with gentle tannins and a moderate acidity to give a very drinkable wine without serious aging.

Viognier - Roussanne – Marsanne (Savoie and Northern Rhône). Our tasting notes are little different from the official ones, ultimately we often find different words to express the same wine characteristics. The bottom line is that this is an excellent, rather understated, dry wine. Nothing is too bold, nothing is too brash. There are smoky herbaceous aromas with citrus and lemon. On tasting it is the citrus and lemon that predominate and are followed by a gentle acidic finish. With food it is those leading qualities there will be noticed, but on its own a depth becomes more apparent; there are subtle notes that fit with the warm brioche, nutty and mineral descriptions of the official description. This is a wine good needs your attention and will reward such attention.

Malbec - Bonarda – Syrah (Mendoza Argentina). One of us is not a Malbec fan. Apparently, it is too Malbec-y. It turns out for this one is more than a Malbec. It is a rich full bodied red it is packed with berries and jammy fruits. There are sufficient tannins to provide dry finish and undercurrents of earth, fennel, and baking spice. Another wine but we underestimated.

Pinot Grigio – Gewürztraminer (Lodi, California). We expected a lot from this wine, and it delivered. So many of our customers do not like off-dry wine, that is until they taste it. It isn't sweet, it's simply rich and full bodied. The Pinot Grigio brings pear and apricot, and clean crisp finish. Gewürztraminer adds sweet plum, honeysuckle, and orange blossom. This is just a delightful wine.

Aglianico Barbera (Campania, Italy). The LE series always finishes with a big red. This year is no exception, but the Aglianico Barbera has excelled. This is such a good wine. Even from bottling its depth, complexity and drinkability obvious. There is a bold nose of cherry and berries and plum. On tasting cherry notes predominate with hints of licorice and understated tannins. Just a fine wine to drink from bottling; big, bold and fruit forward. This is your Christmas red.

1 AUGUST

AGILANICO BARBERA

LIMITED EDITION

8 Weeks

We tried this wine before it was even filtered, and it was impressive. Filtering and a few days to settle have only raised our appreciation. There is no doubt that all wines should be aged, and in some cases, they demand time; we remember a Grenache Mourvèdre that started with desiccating tannins but matured to a beautiful rounded wine. The Agilanico Barbera is different. It is truly an excellent wine from the start, and it will only get better. The nose is mellow and full of almonds and rich cherries. In the mouth these flavours combine with blackcurrant to give a rich fruit forward wine that moves to supple tannins and rounded acidity. Supple often appears in tasting notes. Some wines start with hard tannins that age to a gentler form. Others start with those gentle 'supple' tannins and are immediately enjoyable. We hate to use the 'C' word in the height of summer, but we are always asked for a fabulous red that can be made in October and drunk over the holidays. This is your wine......

2 JULY

PINOT GRIGIO, ITALY

PRIVATE RESERVE

8 Weeks

For some Pinot Grigio is a very 'spare' wine; it is dry and it has a citrus edge. This is very much the character of our CLASSIC Pinot Grigio. However, our RESERVE ages beautifully over twelve months to a complex wine with stone fruit character. This transformation to a deep rich wine reaches its peak in the PRIVATE RESERVE Pinot Grigio. There is a nose of peach, pear and minerality. In the mouth citrus notes are added. This wine takes a time to settle down. At bottling there are harsh aged. Our notes are based on four months of aging. A full year should be spectacular.

26 June

BLUE HAWAIIN

TWISTED MIST

4 Weeks

It's blue, what's not to love? Seriously, we have been consistently impressed by the TWISTED MIST line. They offer classic long cocktail flavour with the kind of alcohol level that can be enjoyed on a summer afternoon. Beyond the colour, Blue Hawaiian is a refreshing mix of rum, pineapple and blue curaçao, and you certainly notice the orange citrus finish. Interesting, there are Blue Hawaiian and Blue Hawaii cocktails. The Hawaiian is just Pina Colada turned blue with a splash of blue curaçao. The Hawaii is completely different with much less coconut and much more blue curaçao. Looks like Winexpert got a little confused with their cocktails, but the result is delicious and we already have a Pina Colada so it is win-win.

14 MAY

GEWÜRZTRAMINER

CLASSIC

4 Weeks

Gewürztraminer is a grape that has travelled the world and has always been genetically unstable. In consequence its character is quiet variable, but an off-dry nature and aromatic lychee are always at its core. At it's extreme in Alsace intense lychee and sweetness can make the wine an acquired taste. Fiona spent much time and many Francs acquiring the taste, but most, including Nora, prefer a more balanced wine. The CLASSIC California Gewürztraminer has a delicate floral and lychee nose. Perfumed and delicate, but not overwhelming. Lychee notes in the mouth are also obviously present, but balanced by apricot and banana richness. This is a balanced and moderate, with a gentle off-dry sweetness that will appeal to many.

5 MAY

RIESLING

CLASSIC

4 Weeks

Riesling is one of the hardest wines to pin down. Bone dry, mineral, floral, fruit-forward and downright sweet are all examples of riesling. The CLASSIC Washington Rielsing is a moderately off-dry wine. Even at bottling, there is a delicate nose of honeysuckle. Honey and melon flavours represent the rich smooth nature of the wine. Each brings subtle sweetness and fragrance. There is sufficient delicacy that apple notes are apparent a the low-acid finish. It is another example of a wine that is truly off-dry without by any means being sweet. Unless you are only a dry, dry wine drinker, this is a lovely easy-drinking wine that works well with rich foods.

6 MAY

ANOTHER MARATHON TASTING

We have failed to describe our tasting recently, but felt compelling to put glass to lips this evening .

SHIRAZ - BAROSSA, AUSTRALIA

PRIVATE RESERVE

8 Weeks

Shiraz disappeared with our new lines, but bounced back a few months ago. There are those who despise Shiraz and we will not try to convert you, but for the rest of us Shiraz, and particularly Australian Shiraz, is a experience that we love. The nose says leather and pepper. On the tongue there are leather, pepper and tons of chocolate. Behind this lies plum and something beyond blackcurrant. Oak is soft and so are the tannins. This is just a quintessential Australian Shiraz, if you hate it, we probably can’t convert you, but the rest of us will love it.

BOURBON CHARDONNAY

LIMITED RELEASE

8 Weeks

A pale golden straw-coloured wine, Bourbon Chardonnay is no ordinary Chardonnay. There is pear and apple on the nose, but the wine leads on the nose and the palate with traces of its classic bourbon oak. There is nothing overwhelming, but the bourbon is unmistakable. What follows in a mix of creamy oak, bourbon and orchard flavours. It feels like a Chablis overlaid with bourbon oak. The result is recognisable, but completely different. Most importantly, is it good? It is a very special and unique wine that is thoroughly worth your attention.

LUNA AMERICANA, MENDOZA, ARGENTINA

PRIVATE RESERVE

8 Weeks

Cream and anise sound like a strange nose, but they are intriguing, different and surprisingly engaging. This golden wheat wine is an enigma. There is astringency, there is soft creamy oak, there are clear citrus notes and underlying pear. This tasting is at bottling and we have also tried the aged wine in which all these characteristics soften out. But, as a young wine it is fascinating and thoroughly drinkable. A completion contrast to Bourbon Chardonnay, but equally worth making.

3 APRIL

COOMBSVILLE CABERNET SAUVIGNON

REVELATION

10 Weeks, 1 Year Minimum Aging

We bottled this wine in 375 mL bottles, so opening one after six months seemed like reasonable rule breaking. For those who missed REVELATION, this is an 'ultra premium' offering which we are told will appear once a year. At roughly twice the price per bottle of our PRIVATE RESERVE wines, it had better be good. Is it? The honest answer is 'yes'. This wine is almost black, edging to purple. The nose is plum and leather, and not to be missed. It is completely different in the mouth; a first hint of geranium follow by a rich combination of black fruits. There are mild tannins and real acidity with a long soft fruit finish. Mild and balanced, and somehow intense at the same time. It clearly needs to age more, but it is remarkable. Our discussion centred on the price and reality of wines drunk with pizza or spaghetti. This is not a workday wine with dinner, but if you want something special now and again, and you have patience, this is your wine. And if you price compared with retail wine, worlds apart.

4 MARCH

VIOGNIER - ROUSSANNE - MARSANNE, BOURBON CHARDONNAY

LIMITED EDITION AND LIMITED RELEASE

8 Weeks

Again, these wines were tasted far too young to do them credit. If the tastings are of value, it is in demonstrating how confusing words like citrus and acidity can be. These wines are very different, but some of the same words are used to describe both of them. It is often the order they appear that are important.

Tasted cold the 'Viognier' already has a nose of lime, lemon and pear that is almost tart. Flavours start with complexity. There is pear and something like banana. Things move to a smooth rounded middle that suggests rose water and the finish is crisp and acidic. We tried the wine closer to room temperature and the nose shifted to mineral and lime. There was an initial acidity that we didn't notice cold that might be grapefruit, then the wine again moves to a smooth, rounded flavour that is sweater than when cold, before the same acidic finish comes in. Ripe banana now arrives in the middle of the tasting.

The Bourbon Chardonnay is actually a Bourbon Chardonnay - Semillion. Cold, the nose is gooseberry - pear. There are three clear stages in the mouth; citrus moves to a prominent middle with creamy vanilla oak, before a finally citrus acidity. Closer to room temperature the flavours are similar, but the creamy vanilla arrives earlier and is quickly replace by a zesty clean finish of lime.

Neither description is a great match for the official tasting notes. Our rose water and banana, could well be the Viognier's honeysuckle, and warm brioche/apricot. We certainly found the creamy vanilla of the Bourbon Chardonnay's notes, but we seemed to find more traditional citrus rather than 'grilled peach and tropical fruit'. It is all so subjective, and perhaps we should be waited at least until the wines were filtered!

13 FEBRUARY

CABERNET SAUVIGNON – MERLOT, WALLA WALLA, WASHINGTON

LIMITED EDITION

8 Weeks

The better the wine, the longer it should age before drinking. Never try a Limited Edition wine immediately after filtering. Obviously, that is exactly what we did! We are not suggesting that this wine is at its best, but we have high hopes for it as it ages. There is a slight sweetness in this fruit-forward wine. Acidity is gentle and tannins are soft. A fine and expensive Bordeaux would have tannins capable of desiccating your mouth at this stage, but a fine and expensive Bordeaux also needs twenty years to age. There are blackberries and plums, with a smokey/peaty background. Overall, this looks like a wine that will develop nicely over the next few months.

4 FEBRUARY

GSM - GRENACHE SHIRAZ MOURVÈDRE, AUSTRALIA

CLASSIC

4 Weeks

We don't sell a lot of GSM and we often wonder why. Blends allow vintners to bring out the best of different grapes, and GSM has become an iconic Australian blend. This is an amazing 4-week wine. Even at bottling, there is a nose of smokey, oaky blackberries. At least when young, which is probably when most people would drink it, it is a fruit-forward red full of berries with good tannins and chocolate notes. And it is a beautiful colour. We were surprised that the wine got even better when we allowed it to breath. There were more pronounced tannins giving more body and balance. It is hard to imagine anything so good at this kind of price.

26 January

HURRICANE

TWISTED MIST

4 Weeks

Yes, we drink fruit wines. Well, one of us does. Traditionally, these wines were very sweet, but they have come of age with TWISTED MIST. These cocktail-inspired wines are thoroughly enjoyable, even for those who appreciate wine. True to the style of cocktail, this is a full-on mix of rum, orange, lime and passion fruit. Lighter than the cocktail (6.5% alcohol) and less sweet, it brightens a winter evening.

15 JANUARY

PINOT GRIGIO and RIESLING

RESERVE

6 Weeks

It must be irritating to be repeatedly told by the owners of a wine store how great wines are when they have aged for a year or two. In our defence, we do blog on many wines straight from bottling, and in both cases these tastings were on the last three bottles that we had hidden away. Hiding a few is the only way we keep them so long! However, both illustrate how the complexity of a wine can develop over time.

This is probably the eighth blog on this wine. OK, the third or fourth. It is now a little over two years old. Fiona’s tasting notes began with a nose full of lemon with something smoky and well-rounded in the background like a barbequed pineapple. In the mouth it is a rich wine that leads with lemon and builds with honey, mouthfeel and body into a soft and citrus and honey finish. When bottled this was a dry Riesling with some minerality and a hint of lemon. Fiona’s response when she learned which wine she was tasting can’t be put in print.

The Pinot Grigio is a similar age and equally surprising. Like Riesling, the Pinot Grigio is all about crisp acidity with background green apple and lemon. Many people like the sparing flavour and marked acidity. Over time the wine has rounded into 'the other Pinot Grigio'. The nose is more notable and full of peach and pear. On tasting there is an initial burst of peach followed by rich lemon and pear, and of course that acidity. It's bigger and richer with more mouthfeel and complexity. And its delicious. Go hide three bottles!

28 DECEMBER

SAUVIGNON BLANCS

PRIVATE RESERVE

8 Weeks

Many of us like to think that wine is this beautiful and natural beverage untouched by human hand and unsullied by science. We can tolerate contact between grape and well-washed foot, but otherwise we like our wine to be a simple marriage of grape and yeast. If you don't wish to be disabused, skip to the wine descriptions. In reality, chemistry, stainless steel, yeast strains and nutrients can dramatically influence a wine, as can something as simple as oak. These skills are applied in vineyards and by Un-Wine-D. The techniques are well established which limited our opportunities for tasting! We love the new Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc, but we just wanted more....

Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc

This is the quintessential fruit-forward Sauv Blanc. This wine in nose and on the palate cries out tropical fruit. Which fruit depend on your interpretation, but let’s say mango, papaya and pineapple. There is soft acidity and so little citrus character that the wine has a hint of creaminess.

Blanc du Sud

Oak, oak, oak. Typically we would expect a softening and vanilla notes from a light oak. In fact, oak arrives early on the palate bring a greatly enhanced creaminess that rounds out the tropical fruit and acidity, and adds a note of coconut. It isn't an 80's buttery Chardonnay, but it is soft, rounded and delicious.

New Zealand-Style

For some, the herbaceous style that is so associated with New Zealand is the only Sauvignon Blanc. It is a combination of terroir and the vintner’s art. This wine greatly enhances the herbaceous character, dials back the tropical fruit notes and brings orchard fruits to the fore.

The obvious question is 'which is best?'. There really is no simple answer. We have made them all, aged them all, and enjoyed them all. Normally Nora edges to off-dry wines, but her top pick is the Adelaide Hills. Fiona, who prefers drier wines, enjoys the rich creamy Blanc du Sud. And those preference change daily!

21 DECEMBER

CABERNET SAUVIGNON

REVELATION

8-10 Weeks. Age 1 Year.

Really this is just a Cab Sauv. Nothing to see, move along.....accept, what an amazing wine. At bottling this wine has a rich and complex nose, full body and flavours of blackcurrant, herbs and rosemary. There is a lot going on in terms of acidity and tannins, but it is the abundance of both that gives Cab Sauv its aging potential. Given that this wine should be aged for a year, great can only get better. The cost of this wine is roughly twice that of a PRIVATE RESERVE. It isn't something that we will be drinking on a weird wet Wednesday in January 2023, but if you want something truly special at a fraction of the Liquor Store price, this is your wine. And we aren't doing a hard sell. We have one left and Fiona is trying to hide it.

REVELATION will be back in late summer 2023. It will still be Cabernet Sauvignon. It will still be from premium California vineyards. Maybe it might be worth considering....

17 DECEMBER

ALBARIÑO and MATARO - SHIRAZ

PREMIUM RESERVE

6 Weeks

We have to give Winexpert credit; they are often ahead of the game in sourcing from emerging regions and identifying specialty wines that deserve a wider audience. We have seen both these wines on restaurant wine list since their introduction as LIMITED RELEASES. And they both deserve the attention that they have received.

We tried both wines at bottling. Somehow we associated both with the word 'rustic', and yet that wasn't in any way pejorative. They will undoubtedly soften with age, but they are delicious at bottling. The next surprised was that our blind tasting matched the Winexpert tasting notes. The interpretation of flavour is such a personal thing and yet we were right on the money. Without repeating those notes, it is the orchard fruits backed by grapefruit and lime acidity that give Albariño is body and structure, but it is the edge of brine that comes from the coastal vineyards of Galicia that makes it unique. Different and thoroughly drinkable are a perfect combination.

Mataro is really the classic Australian GSM (Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre) without the Grenache. Despite the success of GSM, Mataro (Mourvèdre) - Shiraz allows Mataro to star. And what a star. This is the Marlon Brando of grapes; dark brooding with smokey earthy notes, black fruit and heavy tannins. The wine is lightening by its co-star, with Shiraz bringing its vibrant fruit, chocolate and pepper, but Mataro is the lead. This is a step outside the box that is still thoroughly enjoyable, in a powerful red kind of way.

It will be fun to see how these two age.

22 OCTOBER

SHIRAZ - VIOGNIER and CHENIN BLANC - PINOT GRIGIO

CLASSIC - LIMITED RELASES

4 Weeks

We love the 4-week limited releases. They offer reasonably priced wines and are always something original. Chenin Blanc - Pinot Grigio has marked citrus lime character that is different from anything in aour regular line-up. There are grassy herbaceous notes and the finish is smooth with peach and pear. A big bold 4-week wine. Shiraz - Viognier is equally interesting. Shiraz predominates and gives the classic flavours of blackcurrant and berries with form tannins. Viognier adds acidity and complex refreshingly floral notes. This is a fabulous 4-week wine that is delightful from bottling.

15 October

SAUVIGNON BLANC, AUSTRALIA

PRIVATE RESERVE

8 Weeks

Our PRIVATE RESERVE Sauvignon Blanc Is moving from a Marlborough, New Zealand vineyard to Adelaide Hills, Australia. We took the opportunity of a sneak preview to give you two new wines. Australian Sauvignon Blancs are typically made in very different style from their New Zealand cousins and this wine is no exception. So, Adelaide Hills is a tropical fruit Sauvignon Blanc with gentle acidity and just a touch of citrus. In contrast New Zealand-style Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc is a wine with marked herbaceous character and a gentle background of fruit and citrus. Both wines can be oaked. The oaked Adelaide Hills shows its oaky character early; vanilla sweetness leads, with a buttery creamy finish. Tropical fruit flavours add to the richness. And it is a rich wine. Oaked New Zealand-Style Adelaide Hills is a true Fumé; now oak is expressed as a soft mellow background that complements the herbaceous character. Which would be chose? Well, of course, we made all four!

8 OCTOBER

CAB FRANC

APRES

6 Weeks

We are not really icewine people; a little harvest or port with dessert or cheese when we are pushing the boat out, but not icewine. We grudgingly wine the Cab Franc icewine in 2020 and it sat until Christmas 2021 before we tried it. And we were impressed. 10 months on and this Cab Franc just gets better and better. No cloying sweetness here, this is remarkably ‘unsweet’. Let’s me honest, it is icewine, it is several steps beyond off-dry, but there is a rich raspberry flavour backed by strawberry jam sweetness that will impress you. Complex and fragrant, this is a pleasure with dessert. The high sugar content also means that these wines have longevity. Five years is a perfectly normal aging period for icewine, so a batch will last for all your special dinners.

26 July

TRINITY

CLASSIC

4 Weeks

It has been a thin month for blogging. There is more to try in the works, but it has been a month to try to catch breath. Still a nine-month bottle of Trinity seemed tempting. What is Trinity? It is a classic Bordeaux containing Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. As a Californian wine, we call also use the Californian vintners take on this great French wine and call in Meritage. Our tasting didn't quiet match up others, but it comes down to age (of the wine!) and the taster. We both thought the nose was full of plum with notes of pepper. The same plum predominates on tasting backed by cherries. There is a fruit sweet that stops this wine being bone dry. Light and gentle tannins allow the fruit to flourish in a wine with moderate body. Overall this is an easy going wine. easy to sip, easy to pair with fruit. We tend to like reds that have a lot to say for themselves, Trinity is more your ideal house guest! And you will invite it back.

5 JULY

VIOGNIER

CLASSIC

4 Weeks

It may seem that we only drink and blog our higher end wines. Well last night we opened a six-month old bottle of CLASSIC Viognier. For those who haven't been introduced to this wine, it is the Pinot Grigio with just a bit 'more'. So far, no Pinot Grigio has made Viognier and gone back. An a lot of people have made it. There's of nose of apple and pear. Taste begins with citrus and moves to apple. The finish is long, soft and smooth. This is not a huge wine, it is just an easy-drinking Tuesday night wine that has a little less acidity and Pinot Grigio and a little more fruit character and softness. You may think it s not a wine for you, but you haven't tasted it!

2 July

GRENACHE CARIGNAN - AGAIN

LIMITED RELEASES

8 Weeks

Somehow we thought that we hadn't tried the Carignan before, honestly we were sober on both occasions. However, our impression was somewhat different, but still positive! The interesting thing about 'formal tasting' wine is that you quickly realize how mood dependent it can be. A tired Friday evening is the time to simply enjoy a glass of wine, a relaxed Saturday evening is the time to look for subtlety and character. The Grenache-Carignan is young, so we didn't get much nose, but what we did get was a fruit-forward red that was jammy with blackberries and plums. There was acidity, but modest tannins and a smokey/peaty layer. Looks like a wine with great potential. It will be interesting to see how its character develops.

14 June

LUNA AMERICANA

PRIVATE RESERVE

8 Weeks

You may have notice that our choice of 8-week whites is somewhat limited. We have exercised our minds and pocket books to address this deficiency, and Luna Americana is part of our efforts. This is a Torrentes blend from Argentina and certainly worth your attention. The nose will attract your intention; there is grapefruit and citrus, but also look for hosehips, leather and smoke. Sounds like an odd combination, but it is delightful. On the palate there is peat, melon and cantelope that lead to a long soft smooth rounded finish with acidity, lemon and orange peel. And it is really very nice!

30 May

MONSTER TASTING

LEs, LIMITED RELEASES and a RESERVE

6-8 Weeks

Yes, we really did try six different wines in one evening. We do occasionally get accused of irresponsibly encouraging drinking, so 'no' we did not drink six bottles. The remains lingered in our fridge for days. There is no better way to recognize the character of a wine than by contrast with another. Wine tastings are a lot of fun. We certainly had fun!

30 MAY

TWO BIG REDS - GRENACHE CARIGNAN AND TEMPRANILLO BOBAL

LE21 AND PREMIUM LIMITED RELEASE

8 Weeks

Tasting 8-week wines on the day they are bottled hardly reflects their true character, but we couldn’t resist. The contrast was amazing. First the big red with grape skins from the LE21 series, Grenache-Carignan. Even so young, the essential character of this wine comes through. The nose is light, with tobacco and an earthy character. In the mouth there are tart fruits like red currant and gooseberry, and undertones of pepper. Tannins are strongly represented, with light acidity. As this wine ages, more than six hours, we think this will grow into a truly great and complex wine. Turn the tables to our 8-week Limited Release Tempranillo-Bobal. Even at bottling the nose bursts with jammy black fruits. On tasting liquorice and anise are obvious along with the same black fruits. Tannins and acidity are modest. The tasting score was one wine to age, one to drink now. Both these wines are Spanish. Both are from the Manchuela region. Both will be great wines, but in such different styles. Grenache-Carignan will give a balanced red, full of complexity. Tempranillo-Bobal will be a delicious fruit-forward red, almost a Shiraz without the pepper.

30 MAY

TWO WHITES TO DRINK NOW AND TO AGE - MACABEO AND TREBBIANO-RIESLING

LE21

8 Weeks

Just like to reds, good whites can come in very different forms. The LE21 Macabeo is now 2 months old and really developing its character. This is actually Macabeo-Sauvignon Blanc, and the contributions of both grapes are clear. The nose says tropical fruit. In the mouth there is vibrant fruit; crisp pear, pineapple, tropical fruits and papaya. These fruits transition to a clean citrus/acid finish. Delicious and vibrant describe this wine. The LE21 Trebbiano-Riesling is an interesting Italian pairing. It is the classic ‘less dry’ LE white. The fruit flavours are mellow and rounded. There is pear in both wines, but in the Trebbian-Riesling it is soft, ripe and fragrant. Ripe melon and rich apple combine to give a soft subtle sweetness. This is a luscious and decadent wine. Both wines are thoroughly drinkable young, but each has great potential. Completely different, but equally enjoyable.

30 MAY

LIMITED RELEASE WHITE - ITALIAN GRILLO PINOT GRIGIO

PRIVATE RESERVE

8 Weeks

Wines are so hard to pin down; a grape variety says so little. For many Pinot Grigio is a dry wine in which earlier harvesting leads to a wine with acidity and in which fruit flavours are dialed back. And yet we have enjoyed some amazing floral and fragrant Pinot Grigios, and our own RESERVE Pinot Grigio ages to a complex wine with rich fruit character. At bottling the Limited Release Grillo-Pinot Grigio feels like a Pinot Grigio that has aged for six to twelve months. It is simply more rounded. Acidity is lower and fruit character is a little more pronounced. So far, Pinot Grigio drinkers who have tried it have loved it.

30 MAY

CALIFORNIA RIESLING (AGAIN)

RESERVE

6 Weeks

We blogged this wine last summer. At six months old, it was a nice wine for a summer afternoon. It was a typical dry, dry Riesling with acidity and minerality. At eighteen months old, it is fabulous. It is softer, with way more complexity. The nose is subtle, but apricot, peach and honey are all there, along with a citrus acidity. In the mouth it crisp with tart acidity. Apple and honey lead, followed by that acidity and minerality. If you like your whites bone dry, drink this wine in the first year. If you like a crisp, crisp wine with a little more, find a quiet spot in your basement for this one.

28 May

SYMPHONY GEWURTZ AND BLACK CAB

LE19

8 Weeks

It is very nice when the boundary between customer and friend is blurred. Thank you Angela for calling in on your trip from Ottawa, and thank you for bring bottles of two wines that we long ago worked our way through. SYMPHONY GEWURTZ was certainly my favourite of the two. For those who have forgotten, Symphony is a Californian cross between Muscat and Grenache gris. Symphony and Gewurtz grapes were from the Sierra region of California. Back to the wine....At two years old, this was a rich and complex wine; golden yellow and slightly off-dry. All the Gewurtz characteristics of honeysuckle, honeyand lychee were there, along with a freshness and herbaceous character. BLACK CAB was another Californian LE19, with the Gamay Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes both coming from Lodi. This a deep tawny red with a nose of cherry, tannins and sour plum. This is a tannin-forward red, with the rounded tannins being matched by aged acidity. Cherry and sour plum follow then tannins and the finish is short and dry. One of us is a 'fruit-forward red' drinker and it is hard to get beyond the contrast in this style of wine, but it is a great wine and another example of the benefits of aging.

4 MAY

WASHINGTON, YAKIMA PINOT GRIS

PRIVATE RESERVE

8 Weeks

Wow. We enjoyed with Pinot Gris when it was bottled in September 2020 as a light, crisp wine. Eighteen months later it has come of age. We were met with are delightful musky aroma backed by lemon peel. It was a nose full of promise, and we weren't disappointed. This wine was smokey and citrusy at the same time. And in a way that we really liked. The acidity is there, but it is gentle. This a wine with levels of complexity; there are warm rounded undertones of melon, cantaloupe and honey that make this a complex and fascinating wine. Whilst Pinot Gris does produce a dry wine, with aging this also a full-bodied wine that is a pleasure to drink. 12oC proved to be a perfectly serving temperature that allowed all those delightful volatiles to do their work!

30 APRIL

PINA COLADA

TWISTED MIST

4 Weeks

The TWISTED MIST line is new. The focus is long-cocktail style kits that a big on flavour and moderate in alcohol. Pina Colada is first of our production line. The product description says pineapple and creamy coconut and that is certainly true. Pineapple, tropical fruits and a tart acidity are front-and-centre. Creamy coconut provides a soft smooth background and the sweetness is dialed back. The 6.5% alcohol is perfect for a summer afternoon. We are really pleased with Pina Colada, and one of us will happily work their way through 31 bottles as spring turns to summer.

30 MARCH

ITALIAN GRILLO PINOT GRIGIO

PRIVATE RESERVE

8 Weeks

Grillo is a limited release wine that has all the quality and potential of last night's Pecorino Pinot Grigio. Grillo is a fuller version of Pinot Grigio that thrives in the hot Sicilian sun. From bottling this wine is Pinot Grigio with more; a little more body, more nose and more character. The nose is citrus zest, pear and mellow honey and honeysuckle. In the mouth this wine begins with honey, grapefruit and unripe kiwi, with aromatic melon. The acidity builds and gives a crisp finish. It was pleasant the new of bottling, but we are expecting it to grow in character.

29 MARCH

ITALIAN PECORINO PINOT GRIGIO

LE19

8 Weeks

Many people loved Pecorino first time around, and many asked for a second batch. Sadly we only a handful more than our customer pre-order. A lesson we learned. Over the last 21 months we have periodically opened a bottle, and been amazed how this wine has developed. Tonight it is complex and rich. There is acidity; citrus, pear and apple. The finish is still crisp. However, overlaid is a full-bodied decadence. There is honey, honeysuckle, cantaloupe and pineapple. It will be hard to drink only one glass…..We know it is hard to hold onto a wine that is excellent from bottling, but if you can hide half a dozen bottles, it will always be worthwhile.

19 MARCH

CALIFORNIAN SAUVIGNON BLANC, NORA-THE-EXPLORA'S GRASSY SAUVIGNON BLANC

RESERVE

6 Weeks

Many of us have a romantic view of wine; barefooted artisans stomp grapes while gnarled elders stick labels to bottles, with a help of their own bottle of red. The truth is that vintners have an array of technology to understanding their grapes and achieve the final wine they desire; yeasts, enzymes, tannins and finishers are just the beginning. Ask Fiona for a soporific discussion on the subject. Moving easily to the next soapbox; we tend to define wines by one set of characteristics. In reality most wines are influenced by climate and the actions of the vintner. Our RESESERVE Sauvignon Blanc is a good example; this Californian wine is a warmer climate Sauvignon Blanc. It is packed with tropical fruit and acidity, and a wine we truly enjoy. However, it isn’t the herbaceous wine that many of us associate with New Zealand. To our surprise, a dash of experimentation and a couple of yeasts later, we have a fabulous grassy and herbaceous Sauvignon Blanc. Welcome Nora-the-Explora’s Grassy Sauv Blanc. It has notes of thyme and rosemary, less acidity and that fresh cut grass flavour. Who knew?

26 FEBUARY

MOSAIC RED

LE15

8 Weeks

We do have many typos on our website, but the LE15 isn’t one of them. We are fortunate to call many of our customers our friends, and this bottle was from one of them. Thank you, David. MOSAIC RED was a Merlot, Zinfandel, Petit Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles, California. With so many varietals and so many years under its belt, this wine could be anything.

What are your first thought when trying a six-year-old bottle of wine? Ours were caution and preparation for disappointment. The first startling thing was the nose. Forward, pronounced, fragrant. We started writing the review as cherry, cherry and cherry, but a second tasting said cherry, cherry ice cream, blackcurrant and warm summer sun. It was truly a pleasure. In the mouth the wine is soft with that same cherry and cherry ice cream. The ice cream implies something soft with vanilla and sweetness, so much so that you can almost taste the waffle cone! Those fruit flavours are followed by blue cheese and a hint of chocolate, all wrapped in soft mellow tannins. The finish is dry of soft. Wow. We don’t recommend aging wines for six years, but sometimes a gem is hidden at the back of the ‘wine cellar’.

19 FEBRUARY

THE MARATHON TASTING – PINOT NOIRS

Pinot Noir isn’t supposed to have huge body, but this is more than made up for by strawberry and black cherry character, silky tannins and something hard to place that is described as ‘earthy’, ‘truffle’ and ‘ethereal’. If you have never tried Pinot Noir, you should. It is a highly prized and unique varietal, and a great Pinot Noir is an amazing wine. Conversely, a poor Pinot Noir is bland, thin and truly disappointing. Fiona continues to bang on about such a bottle in Strasbourg in 1991. Clearly, it was a memorable disappointment, but have no fear, we won’t let you down.

We tried four Pinot Noirs; RESERVE, PRIVATE RESERVE, LE21 PINOT SHIRAZ and what shall be known as the MYSTERY WINE. All but the RESERVE were newly bottled, and this is a wine that deserves time. All four could not be mistaken for anything but Pinot Noir. At the same time the grape is expressed so, so differently.

RESERVE. The wine has a big nose, truly a hooter. Packed with strawberry, cherry and, even at bottling and earthy/truffle character, and something Nora described as pine. In the mouth, it is the black fruit and cherries that predominate. All that fruit brings an acidity and sweetness that is typical of Pinot Noir. It’s balance by those silky tannins. They aren’t that pronounced, but the wine is young. It is a fruit-filled wine that is smooth and mellow, with earthy notes, truffle and a hint of tobacco.

PRIVATE RESERVE. This has a super fruit-forward nose that has that earthy character and a hint of turpentine. This feel like summer in a bottle; a is full of warm black fruit, soft sweetness, and orange citrus. Citrus acidity and mild tannins combine to give the silkiest of all four wines, and the one that finishes dry.

LE21 PINOT NOIR SHIRAZ. Don’t assume this wine is fundamentally different from the others, a small percentage of Shiraz or Syrah is often blended into Pinot Noir to improve colour and add body. Black fruits compete with truffle, spice and almonds in the nose. Shiraz adds complexity, but this is clearly a Pinot Noir. This is even more apparent when tasting this wine; there are the same black fruits, sweetness and a grapefruit and lemon zest acidity. Thanks to the Shiraz, the tannins are a little bolder than the PRIVATE RESERVE and not so silky, and there is a touch of Shiraz spice.

MYSTERY WINE. Simply a full, full Pinot Noir. The nose has truffles, walnuts, earthiness, turpentine and blue cheese. In the mouth? Warm black fruit, light acidity, soft but marked tannins, and that earthy/truffle quality. Close your eyes and you will feel like you are tasting this wine in the forest in fall.

How can we put all of the above together into something meaningful? Well, we have tried.
FIONA FAVOURITE – RESERVE. Soft, gentle, fruit-forward and so mellow.
NORA FAVOURITE – MYSTERY WINE. The biggest wine and so typically Pinot Noir.
MOST SIMILAR – PRIVATE RESERVE AND LE21. Just great balanced Pinot Noirs. The Shiraz influence is there, but they are the middle ground with the other two being fruity and big.

14 FEBRUARY

MURRAY DARLING PINOT NOIR SHIRAZ

LE21

8 Weeks

The arduous task of tasting wines continues. In this case we precede the review with a caveat; 8-week wines need time to age, but we could resist the temptation to try to Pinot Noir - Shiraz on the day it was bottled to look for potential. And there is potential. There are the beginnings of the truffle and earthy characteristics that make the nose of a great Pinot Noir. On tasting we were surprised a flash of lemon and citrus, followed by red currants and rhubarb. Of course, all these fruits are associated with acidity, and whilst there is lots of acidity, somehow it isn't aggressive. It is also balance by those famous silky tannins and soft oak. Hints of spice, earthy and herbaceous notes all had to the depth. The finish is long, smooth, and full of berries. This wine will evolve as it ages, but this is a great starting point.

12 FEBRUARY

CALIFORNIAN ENIGMA

RESERVE

6 Weeks

We are not sure which varietals contribute to RESERVE Enigma, but typically Californian wineries include Zinfandel, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Enigma is off-dry......but don't switch off! This is a wine to love. The nose says blackcurrant, warm berries, violets and summer. Yes, you can smell summer! In the mouth this is a mellow, rich and rounded wine with soft oak. The first flavour is of a warm summer strawberry picked straight from the bush, blackcurrant comes rushing in, and the sweetness gives the taste of a berry sorbet. We also chilled this wine to 12°C. And it felt even more like summer. The blackcurrant pops. Citrus and acidity give a delicious refreshing wine. It really is the perfect summer red. We tried this wine the day it was bottled, so it can only get better!

11 FEBRUARY

AUSTRALIAN CHARDONNAY

CLASSIC

4 Weeks

We could be criticized for focusing on our premium kits and reviewing only aged wines, but it is simply not true! For us, drinking wine is a public service that we take very seriously. :) So, let's talk bottled-today CLASSIC Chardonnay. The bottom line is that this a very drinkable wine that says Chardonnay whatever way you cut it (if you could cut wine). The nose is surprisingly complex; grapefruit backed by citrus with noticeable notes on dry grass and hay, and hints of cedar and eucalyptus. When cold, the flavour is grapefruit and citrus with creamy oak and a mellow butterscotch finish. Warming and oxidizing, the grapefruit and citrus predominate. But is it drinkable? It's excellent, interesting, balanced and thoroughly drinkable. As much a surprise to us as anyone else.

1 FEBRUARY

SAUVIGNON BLANC - MACABEO

LE21 MANCHEULA, SPAIN

8 Weeks

We want the LEs to be different. Different, but thoroughly great wines. The 'Macabeo' looks like a success from bottling. It combines lush and lively. There is tart acidity with lemon, and grapefruit and green apple. Balanced against those flavours are peach, ripe aromatic pear and fragrant honeysuckle. The finish is delicious and lingering. It will be fascinating to see how this wine ages, as long as we, or anyone else, give it a chance!

10 JANUARY

QUALITY 4-WEEK WINES: PINOT NOIR AND MERLOT

CLASSIC

4 Weeks

The biggest thing to say about these wines is that they have the nose and flavour of authentic Pinot Noir and Merlot. That shows how far the CLASSIC wines have come. Both wines were three months old, which is longer than many of you may age a CLASSIC wine, but it isn't a long time in which to develop complexity. Pinot Noir has a nose of cherry, blackberries and blackcurrant. In the mouth there are rich blackberries, blueberry and preserved fruit. Look for a slight touch of oak and moderate, but necessary tannins. Pinot Noir doesn’t claim to be robust, it is all about subtlety and balance. The CLASSIC Pinot Noir achieves this with a soft rounded wine this a gentle dry finish. The Merlot has blackberries and black cherries with much more body than the Pinot Noir. Somewhere there is a smokey-chocolatey flavour with oak and tannins. Robust and rounded, the CLASSIC Merlot is everything you would expect from the varietal.

2 JANUARY

CALIFORNIAN PINOT NOIR

CLASSIC

4 Weeks

Pinot Noir is temperamental, it needs warmth, but not too much warmth. California is on the warmer edge giving wines with black cherry and strawberry notes predominately. The CLASSIC Pinot Noirs is a pale, glowing ruby red. Strawberries and black cherries in the nose and matched when the wine is tasted. Acidity comes with a hint of fresh pear. Tannins are gentle and silky. This is a lighter red with real freshness and flavour. The CLASSIC Pinot Noir doesn't display the complex ethereal qualities of a premium wine, but it is an authentic Pinot Noir that displays character of this enigmatic grape.

1 JANUARY

PINOT GRIGIO, PINOT GRIGIO,PINOT GRIS

CLASSIC, RESERVE and PRIVATE RESERVE

4, 6 and 8 Weeks

It was fun to taste these three wines back-to-back-to-back. All were six to twelve months old, so each had the chance to show itself at its best. Although the CLASSIC Pinot Grigio is a very popular wine, we usually opt for something with a little more sweetness and body. So, it was a surprise to be impressed by this wine. The nose offers a subtle pear and minerality. In the mouth there is, of course, acidity and a dry finish. What surprised us were the marked flavours of pear, backed by hints of lemon. Overall, it is a wine that offers more complexity than we expected. RESERVE wines are more expensive and inevitably offer more character. The truth is that the aged RESERVE Pinot Grigio was astonishing. The nose was a delightful fragrant mix; a scent of blossoms combined with peach and kiwi. Tasting a Pinot Grigio will always include acidity and minerality. These certainly lead, but they are followed by white peach, pear and even vanilla with rounded mouthfeel. The finish is gentle and smooth. Pinot Gris is harvested when the grapes have ripen further. Inevitably, such a wine is not quite as dry. Don't think off-dry for one second. It is a half-step further from bone dry. The character is similar to the RESERVE, but the PRIVATE RESERVE is more subtle. Acidity is reduced, mouthfeel increases and the is apple, pear, white peach and peach. Which wine would we pick? Sadly, the CLASSIC isn't in the frame; the more expensive wine simply offer so much more. The choice between RESERVE and PRIVATE RESERVE would be based on mode, but the lesson for us is always age wines.

24 DECEMBER

RHUBARB AND GINGER GIN

ICON LIQUERS

Instant Fun

Now let's make in clear, in drinking responsibly your focus should be Winexpert wine. That said, we can allow the occasional diversion. Icon Liqueurs produce a series of flavours that can be added to a spirit base. We combined the Rhubarb and GInger Gin (250 mL) with a 750 mL Vodka after closing the store on Christmas Eve. Yes, we drove home first. Neat the result in nectar, but one of us can't told their liqueur. That would be Fiona. As a long G and T the result is still delicious; a rounded smoothness that finishes with unmistakable rhubarb and its astringency. There is a sweetness, hints of ginger and a suggestion of vanilla. Very, very good. Please remember that your focus is wine.....

22 OCTOBER

GEWURTZTRAMINER

RESERVE

6 Weeks

The words 'off-dry wine' strike fear into the hearts of many. Cloying sweetness and little else seem to await. The misperception does not apply to the RESERVE GEWURTZTRAMINER. There is complexity, acidity and balance. The nose is filled with subtle fragrance, aromatic aromas, hints of elderflower and an astringency. In the mouth a tart acidity of gooseberry leads to lychee backed by apricot and rose water. There is rich mouthfeel and a delicate and subtle carnival grape sweetness.

11 OCTOBER

SILENCE

Too Many Weeks

We haven't given up the arduous task of tasting wine for you. Nothing could be further from the truth. However, the last few weeks have been busy with making wine, the return to school, and at least a partial return to normal life. Pen has been put to paper, but the result has not made it to the computer. Our recent tastings have been added below and we promise to be more diligent in future.

11 OCTOBER

CHOCOLATE CHERRY

ISLAND MIST - LIMITED RELEASE

4 Weeks

Better than we expected doesn't sound like a resounding endorsement, but we had a mental picture of how this wine might go wrong; too sweet, cloying chocolate, clashing cherry, a fruit juice with alcohol. In fact, our worries were unfounded. First, the sweetness is apparent, but subtle. Second, this is red wine with flavour. The nose reminded one of us of good old-fashioned English Vimto; grapes, raspberries and blackberries. There are certainly cherries in the nose and hints of chocolate. The taste begins with cherries and moves to smooth chocolate. Everything is in balance. We could see this as a great dessert wine with brownie and cream, or just curled up on the sofa a winter's evening. It isn't the beverage for the Super Bowl, it's warm, calm and comforting. Better than we thought is sounding more and more like a recommendation.

10 OCTOBER

TERRENO

CLASSIC - LIMITED RELEASE

4 Weeks

This is an amazing 4-week wine. If only it were allowed to step into the spotlight and use is true name. Chianti is a Sangiovese from Tuscany. The limitations in Chianti production, in terms of methods and blends, have lead many vineyards to adopt the name Super Tuscan and blend Sangiovese, often with Cabernet Sauvignon. And TERRENO is a CABERNET SAUVIGNON - SANGIOVESE blend from Italy. Get the picture?

We tried the wine one week after filtering and were greatly impressed. There is a vibrant nose, full of blackberry, black currant and black cherry. It gives a full and rounded feel in the mouth. All those black fruits are present to give a layered flavour that is complemented by an almost green apple acidity. Soft and rounded tannins and oak follow and give a dry finish. Looking for a red wine for Christmas that won't be lost in rich food? Something with body to sip on? This is the wine.

9 OCTOBER

AUSTRALIAN SHIRAZ

RESERVE

6 Weeks

Some might call Shiraz a one trick pony, but sometimes this unique wine is the only one that will do. Our bottle of RESERVE SHIRAZ was a year old and had aged beautifully. It is full-bodied, but round and smooth. Like any good Shiraz, it is packed with rich, ripe blackberrry, blueberry, cherry and plum. All that fruit is balanced by smooth tannins, acidity and oaky vanilla. And of course there is black pepper and spice. The RESERVE SHIRAZ is everything a Shiraz should be.

26 SEPTEMBER

BLOOD ORANGE SANGRIA

ISLAND MIST

4 Weeks

A soft ruby red greets you and reminds you of the eponymous blood orange. Fruit wines aren’t packed with nose, but they make up for this with flavour. There is the ripe juicy freshness of blood orange backed by citrus, apple and pear to bring an acidity that cuts through the sweetness. The sweetness is clear, but in no way over-powering. Fruit wines have come of age. If you are looking for something refreshing, low in alcohol and flavourful, it has arrived. We, at least the fruit wine drinker in the house, is really enjoying this one.

19 SEPTEMBER

THREE POSTS, CHARDONNAY, CHENIN BLANC AND RIESLING

LIMITED EDITION

8 Weeks

Why do we blog wines that are sold out? Honestly, it isn’t to taunt you. These wines come and go, and we all have to grab them when we can. This is a beautiful wine. It is dry, but so full of complex fruit that there seems to be a hint of sweetness. It bursts with rich ripe fruit; apricot, tree ripened peaches and tropical fruit. Cutting through these flavours is an acidity backed by apple and gooseberry. So many wine descriptions begin to sound the same, because good white wines often share the same qualities of rich fruit and acidity. Food pairings sound pretentious, but sometimes they say more than talk of the wine itself. I’d like to drink this wine with tarte a l'oignon as they make it in Alsace; a thin pizza crust with cream and caramelised onion.

16 AUGUST

MANGROVE JACK'S HARD RASPBERRY SELTZER

4 Weeks

It is part of our job to try new products, actually, any product. It is a heavy burden; every wine, cider, chocolate, honey etc. You get the picture. Apart from the damage to our waistlines, we have to consider not just our own tastes, but what you might enjoy. This is harder than it sounds, because we enjoy big flavours. The subtle and delicate can get lost of the endless tasting of wine and eating of chocolate. And so to hard seltzer. The dictionary describes seltzer as ‘a naturally or artificially carbonate water with dissolved salts’. Add in low alcohol and a hint of raspberry and you have Mangrove Jacks’s Hard Seltzer. For us it works as the base for a long summer cocktail rather than a drink to sip on. If you enjoy a long cocktail by the pool or a refreshing soda water, this is the beverage for you. For us Friday night pizza will still be accompanied by cider and Saturday night barbeque will come with Pinot Gris.

15 August

MALOLACTIC FERMENATION AND RETRO CHARDONNAY

PRIVATE RESERVE

8 Weeks

Let's see of this decade rings any bells; shoulder pads, Live Aid, Charles and Di, Ghostbusters, the Walkman and leg warmers. Yes, its the 80s! It was also the decade that saw the peak of buttery Chardonnay. Now we like Chardonnay in all its guises, but that rich rounded buttery Chardonnay has slipped from fashion and our line-up. Step forward malolactic fermentation. It is the secondary fermentation process that converts sharp malic acid to creamy lactic acid. Along the way, a small amount of diacetyl is produced which gives that buttery flavour. So what's our Retro Chardonnay like? Well, the nose is citrus. Surprise, you were expecting buttery. Citrus is also present on the palate, but the creamy buttery flavour builds to give a soft round finish. Sadly, Retro Chardonnay won't be a Nora-the-Explora. The Oenococcus oeni bacteria that do the fermentation are tricky little guys and the final wine takes 3-4 months to round out. At least you know that we continue our quest to think outside the box!

2 AUGUST

RIESLING PINOT GRIGIO

NORA-THE-EXPLORA

4 Weeks

Have you ever thought that there should be something more? Something different? We were looking for something to challenge you CLASSIC PINOT GRIGIO drinkers to be a little wild this Christmas. Something that would complement food rather than wining or losing the battle. Think sharp suit and LBD rather than reindeer sweeter and paper hat. We had an idea where we where going, but we started with four CLASSIC whites, that's 12 combinations. Having nursed our sore heads in the morning, we had narrowed things down to a couple of candidates. When we had the winner, it was obvious. Pinot Grigio and Riesling share the same notes of apple and lime. Pinot Grigio offers citrus lemon, while Riesling brings floral
notes and a hint of sweetness. A love affair, not a battle. Go on, embrace your Gary Grant and Audrey Hepburn this Christmas. Nothing to lose and everything to gain.

14 July

LIEBFRUMILCH

CLASSIC

4 Weeks

Back in the 80's Blue Nun was a cruel joke played by the Germans on the English. An overly sweet 'wine' sold to those will little experience beyond beer and dry sherry. Apparently, everything has changed; Blue Nun has become a true Liebfraumilch and the Englsih have learned to appreciate wine. So we overcame our reluctance and made a CLASSIC LIELBFRAUMILCH. Actually, only one of us was reluctant, and 'yes, I was not entirely correct in my 80's prejudice'. This an excellent wine. 'Off-dry' simply means that there is residual sugar. It is a delicate wine with the natural fruit sweetness and acidity. We thought of peach and lemon, but those descriptions are always subjective. It is certainly delicious, complex and no throw-back to the 80's.

5 June

PINK PINOT GRIGIO and SANGIOVESE ROSÉ

RESERVE

6 Weeks

Summer is the perfect time to find your rosé. Like true loves, we all have one, but it may appear like the stranger next to you on a plane. These days we are making life harder for you with six ros between our 4-week and 6-week lines. But let’s focus on our favourites; the RESERVE PINK PINOT GRIGIO and the RESERVE SANGIOVESE ROSÉ.

Colour? The PINK PINOT GRIGIO is a golden sunrise, while the PINK SANGIOVESE is a rich summer sunset. PINK PINOT is full of green apple and pear, with gentle stone fruit and honey. It borders on off-dry, but would be offended by the word ‘sweet’. RESERVE SANGIOVESE ROSÉ is strawberry, raspberry and melon. Raspberry brings its natural acidity. If anything it is a true off-dry. It leads with sweetness, but this is followed by citrus notes and raspberry tartness that more than balance the sweetness. Both wines will seem drier when chilled to the bone, but will develop their fruit flavours as you sip them in the warm shade of your favourite summer spot. Which is better? It is entirely down to personal taste and your leaning to off-dry or dry wines. We loved the PINK PINOT GRIGIO until the SANGIOVESE ROSÉ came along, but we enjoy embrace off-dry wines.

31 May

MERLOT

PRIVATE RESERVE and LIMITED RELEASE

8 Weeks

Two great Merlots, and so different. As we have mentioned before, we like to try the new and unusual, and often ignore the best. We have skipped over Merlot too many times. It is a grape with huge potential and can produce very different wines. Back-to-back the PRIVATE RESERVE and LIMITED RELEASE Merlots really make the point. Stag's Leap, California produces a big, big red. There are lots of tannins, oak and bold fruit flavours, but it comes together beautifully. The nose of cherries and blackcurrant leads to complex flavours of the same fruits in the mouth with cedar, anise and pepper. A huge wine, yet smooth and graceful. The Hawke’s Bay New Zealand was bottled days ago and shows a little astringency, but should settle down quickly. It is so different; more subtle than bold. There is plum and prune, cinnamon, and cloves. And certainly smoke. The oak is more modest, and the tannins are more gentle. We used phrases like ‘tasted of Christmas’ and ‘mulled wine without the mulling’. Certainly medium rather than full bodied. We would enjoy either wine, but they are incredibly different.

29 May

DOUBLE OAKED DOUBLE NOIR

LE20

8 Weeks

The Double is a subtle and smooth blend of Gamay Noir and Pinot Noir. Pinot Noir is a grape that offers haunting earthy qualities and these are apparent in the Double Noir. Oak can be a sledgehammer to this delicate wine, but sometimes the result is a masterpiece. Oaking the Double Noir wasn’t our idea, but we are happy to say that the experience was entirely successful. Oak will always result in complex aromatics flavours. But, which ones? We found terpene, leather and smoke, and lots of them, with hints of vanilla. These came with a delightful sweetness. The result was nothing like the original wine, but Double Oak Double Noir was definitely a success.

25 May

VIOGNIER

CLASSIC

4 Weeks

Viognier is a path less travelled than wines like Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, but it is worth the experience. Like many wines, Viognier varies greatly between growing regions. Our California Viognier is full of apple acidity and mineral notes with hints of peach and a rich, smooth, but dry finish. We also picked up complex aromas that somehow suggested marzipan. The wine was only bottled a couple of weeks ago and we will be interested to see how the aromas develop. Is it good? It is a perfect compliment to other the other CLASSIC whites. Many customers have gravitated from Pinot Grigio to Viognier. It is richer and well rounded, but maintains some of the dryness of Pinot Grigio. A path that such be travelled more often.

10 May

CLASH OF THE TITANS

PRIVATE RESERVE

8 Weeks

The other evening called for a good red, but which red? In the end we opened two bottles of PRIVATE RESERVE; the Merlot and the Super Tuscan. And what an amazing contrast it proved to be. The nose of the Super Tuscan is cherries and sour cherries backed by blackberry. The leading taste is rich cherry which is followed by spice and soft tannins. The finish is long and fruit filled. The contrast to Merlot couldn’t be greater. The nose is raspberry, blackcurrant, anise and leather. In the mouth there is tart raspberry, more red fruits, oak, and some more oak and polished tannins. This is a big wine, but somehow unassuming. It is just hits the right amount of everything. Back-to-back the difference between these wines is amazing. Both are quality good in different ways, so we didn't even need to fall out about which was better.

In case you are wondering, Chianti makers became frustrated by the rules around making and blending their wines. They adopted the name Super Tuscan as the spirit of Chianti for the modern age.

30 April

THE RIESLINGS

RESERVE AND CLASSIC

4 and 6 Weeks

Conversations about wines tend to focus on varietals; for some grapes that works fine, but others have very different characters depending on their ‘terroir’, and the harvesting and fermentation chosen by the vintner. These two Riesling couldn’t be more different. The RESERVE California Riesling is dry and acidic with a pronounced mineral edge. Although medium-light in body, the natural acidity and mineral edge make this a wine with presence. It’s not big or fruity, it’s a dry Riesling with subtle flavours of lemon, nearly ripe peach and pineapple. The CLASSIC Washington Riesling couldn’t be more different. It is definitely off-dry. That doesn’t mean sweet, just sweetness. There are green apple flavours that finish to lime There is acidity, but the sweetness-acidity balance has tipped. The same acidity and citrus character are present in both wines, but the final results could not be more different. Which is better? It comes down to your preference, your mood and to food pairings. Either way, it is a great illustration that a wine can’t be summed up by its grape. A topic for the dinner table, if you want to be banished to eat in the bathroom.

30 April

NERELLO

LIMITED EDITION 20

8 Weeks

Winexpert seem particularly good at coming up with great Italian reds. This one has lived up to its description and has been a hit with everyone who has tried it. Even straight from bottling this is a smooth and mellow wine. The nose is red fruit and cherry, and the same flavours are prominent in the mouth. There are hints of strawberry, cinnamon and an earthy overtone. There are tannins, but they don’t overtake the wine. The real impression of a wine that is both soft and flavourful, with a long smooth finish. At the time of writing we have two left…you were warned!

16 APRIL

BLUEBERRY LEMON

LIMITED RELEASE

4 Weeks

Fruit can be overwhelmingly sweet and simultaneously bland. They give wine a bad name. Fortunately, our new ISLAND MIST range is in a different league. All the fruit wines we have tried combine gentle sweetness with genuine fruit flavour. We regularly make these wines. And remember, one of us is a huge wine snob, so that’s quite an achievement. Wine and fruit meld to give something subtle, like a fruit wine that has grown up, left home and pays its own bills. The latest Limited Release, Blueberry Lemon, it lives up to its name. There is subtle blueberry and bold lemon. Together they make a great summer wine. Tart lemon works perfectly with the gentle sweetness, while the 6% alcohol allows you to enjoy that warm afternoon without needing a nap. Blueberry Lemon is already in our wine rack.

10 April

SANGIOVESE ROSÉ

LIMITED RELEASE

6 Weeks

Rosés come in all shapes and sizes, and you are lucky if you have avoided that glass of something sweet, bland and pink that someone had the nerve to call rosé. It doesn’t have to be like that, there is a future for you and rosé, and it might be our Limited Release RESERVE Sangiovese Rosé. Let’s start with colour; a beautiful bright rose pink. The nose is full of strawberry, with hints of cherry. In the mouth there is sweetness, but this is accompanied by citrus and acidity. Strawberry leads, but there is also pear and mellow peach. It’s an off-dry wine, but don’t jump to conclusions. There is more than enough flavour and acidity to balance the modest sweetness. A perfect barbeque wine for an endless summer afternoon. It will be tempting to thoroughly chill this wine, but it is refreshing, and at its best, if it is allowed to warm a little.

29 March

PINOT NOIR

CLASSIC

4 Weeks

This is no brash and bold wine; Pinot Noir is the quiet gem that is too easily overlooked. Is it good? Well, Pinot Noirs often generate some of the highest prices for quality wines. So ‘gem’ is a good description. But what is so special about Pinot Noir? It simply has characteristics that aren’t found in other grapes; terms like earthy and ethereal are used often. Given the value of this grape, our CLASSIC Pinot Noir is an excellent and authentic wine. The nose is strong and full of cherries and sour cherries. In the mouth all the classic Pinot Noir characteristics are apparent; there are silky tannins, an ethereal yet earthy quality, and more cherries. We aged this wine for five months and it is a truly amazing 4-week wine.

14 March

RIESLING

RESERVE

6 Weeks

What better way to self-isolate than tasting wine? Not every wine assaults the senses. There are times for subtlety and grace. Enter the RESERVE California Riesling. This is a dry and delicate wine. Straight from the fridge, and therefore too cold, there is a nose of pear with mineral notes. In the mouth pear sweetness is balanced by acidity and mineral more notes. Allowing the wine to warm a little lets the subtle apple flavours and aromas to develop, and hences the citrus notes. There is honey, honeysuckle and rhubarb to add complexity to this quiet gem. Not every wine has to shout from the rooftops to be heard. We plan to enjoy the wine, as freshly caught fish (by someone else) fries to perfection in the soft morning light.

14 March

AN ODE TO MERLOT

PRIVATE RESERVE

8 Weeks

We tend to favour the path less travelled. If there was a grape named after a Patagonian llama and only grown in three vineyards in Tierra del Fuego, we’d jump at the chance to try it. However, there are good reasons why Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are the top two varietals; the respond well to a wide range of climates and locations, they produce high/volume low price wines and great vintages, and they simply make good wine. Our bias has focused our blogging elsewhere, but it is time to put Merlot in the spotlight. Private Reserve wines can and should be allowed to age; they will only get better. So, trying our Stag's Leap, California Merlot the day it was bottled was a tough test. However, this is a great wine. It bursts with rich aromas straight from bottling. Cold from the garage, the nose was full of plums and prunes, flavours of red berries are strong which transform to blackberries. These is chocolate and spice. As the wine warms the nose develops hints of star anise and smoke, whilst in the mouth there is gentle oak, rounded tannins and a hint of citrus orange overlying the fruit flavours. ‘A wine you could jump in and swim in’ wasn’t a quote I was expecting, but it sums it up.

26 February

A TALE OF TWO SAUVIGNON BLANCS

RESERVE

6 Weeks

We have recently blogged our tasting of the RESERVE California Sauvignon Blanc. It Is a fruit-forward Sauvignon Blanc; full of gooseberry and grapefruit with hints of straw, crisp acidity and a mineral edge. We like it. We like it from bottling, and we like it as it ages. So, what happens when we add tequila barrel oak? The initial outcome is that it dials down the fruit flavours. And we didn’t like that at all. However, over time, the character of this untoasted, and tequila-rich, oak builds. After six months there is a smooth vanilla from the natural vanillin in oak and a sweet, floral and intangible hint of tequila. The acidity and fruit flavours are mellowed, but still recognisable. If I had to think of a wine, I would hark back to our French Sauvignon Blanc Sémillon Limited Release. The outcome was a split vote and only one of us reaches for a bottle. We won’t be offering this wine as a Nora-the-Explora; it needs to age and the unoaked wine is delightful. However, for those who like to experiment, it shows that depth that can be achieved with a wine kit. And one of us will make it again!

18 FEBRUARY

LIEBFRUMILCH, CALIFORNIA

CLASSIC

4 Weeks

For those of us whose first introduction to German wine was Blue Nun, Liebfraumilch will always have a reputation to rebuild. However, our CLASSIC California Liebfraumilch is doing just that. Based on Riesling grapes, which thrive in cooler Californian vineyards, this is a wine that has more to offer than sweetness. Even from bottling there is a floral and fruity nose. Sweetness first hits the palate, but this is quickly followed by fruit-forward acidity that hints of stone fruit and cries out ‘citrus and pineapple’. The sweetness returns like a mango smoothie; round, soft and full of vanilla. It is almost a year since Winexpert introduced its new product line and we continue to be impressed by the quality of depth of the CLASSIC line.

15 FEBRUARY

CABERNET FRANC ICEWINE

APRES

We have to admit that neither of us is an icewine fan. The cloying sweetness is just too much. So, it isn’t a surprise that our APRES Cabernet France Icewine has sat around unopened for a couple of months. Nora’s Valentine’s Day white chocolate cardamon mousse called for some accompaniment, and the Bailey’s sounded way more attractive. However, duty called, and the icewine was opened. And what a surprise. There is a perfumed nose of honey and honeysuckle. Tasting brings more honey, followed by orange citrus, then warm lush fruit. What fruit? We can only describe it as blending the ripest fruit on a warm summer afternoon; tree-ripened peaches, sweet rich melons and the tips of fresh picked strawberries. Yes, it is a sweet dessert wine, but this is fragrant and delicate icewine. Oh, and the peach-pink rosé flickers beautifully in candlelight. Shame you didn’t have some for Valentine’s Day!

8 FEBRUARY

THE WINE COOLER

CLASSIC

Most of us have heard that we drink red wine too warm and white wine too cold. So, in the interests of fully appreciating our product, we invested heavily in a wine cooler. In truth, we bought one from Amazon; twelve bottle storage and dual temperature control for reds and white. The first model seemed to have its cooling fans backwards. The cooler was 35oC and the room was getting chilly. Number two did better, but it really isn’t able to give two sensible temperatures. However, it is a great place to store several bottles of white and somewhere to pop in a red for a little cooling. And the fridge finally has space. Is it useful? Absolutely, the slightly warmer whites come to life and cooler reds are more subtle and silky. Join the wine snobs, buy a wine cooler!

24 JANUARY

SHIRAZ, AUSTRALIA

RESERVE

6 Weeks

So this tasting was definitely a split vote. Nora fell into the 'I'm looking for something more' and Fiona loved the rich lush fruit flavours and peppery spice. And that's how it goes; if you are not a Shiraz fan then nothing will pursade you. However, this is a classic Shiraz, and a good one. The nose is of full of ripe berries, and these give way to flavours of blueberries, blackcurrants and black cherries. There is chocolate, leather and definitely peppery spice. It's bold, it's Shiraz. Oh, and as with so many wines, we tried this at a little over three months old.

17 JANUAY

PINK PINOT GRIGIO, ITALY

CLASSIC: NORA-THE-EXPLORA

4 Weeks

It is inevitable that the choice of rosés will be limited compared to reds or whites; on restaurant menus, at the LCBO and unfortunately at Un-Wine-D. Our selection is not shabby. We offer a RESERVE Pink Pinot Grigio (off-dry) and Grenache (dry, dry) and well as CLASSIC Pink Moscato (sweet) and Pink Zinfandel (off-dry). Although the Moscato and Pink Pinot are Limited Releases they return regularly and we try to hold them for as long as possible. These are good wines and we have blogged most of them, but there is a gap; a dry 4-week rosé. This sounded like a challenge for Nora-the-Explora, et voilà, CLASSIC Pink Pinot Grigio. We actually prefer this rosé to our regular white Pinot Grigio, it just has ‘more’. There is a nose of citrus and apple. These carry though in the mouth with a pronounced, but not over-powering, tart acidity. We have tasted this wine young and even at this point it is a winner.

11 JANUARY

AUSTRALIAN CHARDONNAY

RESERVE

6 Weeks

Chardonnays come in all shapes and sizes. Even Australian Chardonnays differ greatly from warm to temperate regions. Our Reserve Chardonnay is a classic. The nose is ripe pineapple with a hint of vanilla. In the mouth the wine leads with crisp acidity and citrus before exploding into rich and rounded tropical fruits. The finish is a beautiful balance of buttery oak and vanilla. Have no fear, this is not an over-oaked Chardonnay from the 90s. This wine is all grown up; rich, mellow and sophisticated. And three months old.

3 JANUARY

SAUVIGNON BLANC, CALIFORNIA

RESERVE

6 Weeks

This is a wine with presence that introduces itself with a delicious nose of gooseberry and grapefruit. The herbaceous accents are more straw-like than grassy finishes and there is a crisp mineral edge. Californian Sauvignon Blancs tends to be more fruit-forward than those of France, and this wine is no exception. It bursts with flavour; tart gooseberry, lemon and pineapple are backed by rounded aromatic tropical fruits such mango and melon. If you can leave this wine for three months you should have the same result. It is worth it.

28 Decembery

SPARKLING PINK PINOT GRIGIO, ITALY

RESERVE

6 Weeks

Things have been a little busy at the store and thus quiet on the blog. However, Christmas turned our thoughts to bubbly. Now making champagne-like beverages in the store gets a rather complicated, what with carbonation, champagne bottles and those corks. Fiona, being a chemist by trade, suggested adding dry-ice. Unfortunately, there was then much talk of equilibria and kinetics, and the potential to produce a bomb…..so we bought a SodaStream. It might not be so esthetically pleasing, and there is no popping of corks, and méthode champenoise involves exposure to lees, but if you hanker for bubbly on a Tuesday evening, a Sodastream fits the bill.

Pink Pinot Grigio seemed the perfect wine with which to experiment, and so it proved to be. The result was, well, sparkling Pink Pinot! The same floral notes, the same apple and pear with hints of strawberry and the same just off-dry balance. Carbonation adds a touch of acidity, but nothing more. It’s fun, it’s easy. You don’t need to make 31 bottles and you can make anything sparkle!

24 NOVEMBER

SOMBRERO SAUV, CHILE

CLASSIC

4 Weeks

Exactly what possessed us the match a Chilean Sauvignon Blanc with oak from Mexican Tequila barrels? We can’t remember, but the result was a success. Even 4-week wines do benefit from aging. This wine was five months old when we tried it, and it was worth the wait. The nose is classic Sauvignon Blanc; subtle with delicious grassy notes. Taste? There are certainly peach flavours with a hint of pineapple, if you are expecting it. The wine is crisp with grassy acidity. It sounds like a Sauvignon Blanc, but the Tequila oak brings subtle, almost intangible oak flavours. It isn’t loud, but it does transform the wine. The finish is, as expected, clean and dry clean with a slight lingering oak.

18 NOVEMBER

MULLED VIEUX CHATEAU DU ROI

CLASSIC

4 Weeks

We have played with mulling spices a few times. It needs the right red and a balance of spices. We are happy enough with the result to finally post on the blog. The result can be enjoyed at room temperature or warmed and, of course, we tried both. At room temperature the nose is cinnamon and cloves. In the mouth you first taste the wine, with the raspberry and plum of the VCDR predominating. These are followed by subtle citrus from lemon and orange zest, then smooth cinnamon, cloves and finally red wine with long mellow finish. It tastes of crisp nights and campfires. And it is really pleasant to drink. Warm the nose has cinnamon and cloves, but is transformed by citrus notes. In terms of taste, the wine and spice come together, and pleasantly so. Citrus builds and the flavours of star fruit are stronger. It is like a little hug; enveloping and cozy. Given the presence of the spices, we wouldn't recommend the cost of he six-week VCDR.

14 NOVEMBER

PINOT GRIGIO, ITALY

RESERVE

6 Weeks

Generally, we are big bold wine drinkers, so Pinot Grigio is a little subtle for us! This RESERVE Pinot Grigio is only two months old, so it really deserved longer to age. However, we were surprised by its complexity and depth. The nose is crisp pear with a mineral edge. The wine is complex on the palate. There is certainly stone fruit, particularly peach at the back of the tongue. Pear flavours also predominate with green apple at the front of the mouth. And this is Pinot Grigio, so there is clear and crisp acidity. The wine is dry, but not unpleasantly so, and the finish is long and mellow. We first tried the wine straight from the fridge. As it warmed (yes, we drank it that slowly) the fruit flavours grew bolder and it was truly transformed. We are seriously considering buying a wine cooler. It seems that temperature is everything.

27 OCTOBER

DOS GRENACHE, SPAIN AND AUSTRALIA

LIMITED RELEASE

8 Weeks

The problem with Limited Releases is that they are often sold out before we can blog our own wine. Sadly, we only have two Dos Grenache left, but it is certainly a wine to savour over the winter if you can. Grenache is the workhorse of reds; a major component of Spanish Rioja, French Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Australian GSM. In Dos Grenache the combination of Spanish and Australian grapes produces a fantastic wine. Spanish grapes offer spicy and savoury notes. Australian grapes are packed with intense jammy and berry flavours. Unlike inferior Grenache, the wine is not short of tannins or acidity. The nose is full of spice, backed by berries with a hint of leather. There are berries and vanilla in the mouth, with clear tannins. Also, look for peppery spices. One of us certainly found herbs in the background. The tannins will soften with aging; the wine we tried was very young, but even young those tannins are a pleasure. To us this is a big red with rich dark-fruit flavours and marked tannins. Don’t miss out, we only have two.

14 OCTOBER

GRENACHE ROSÉ, AUSTRALIA

RESERVE

6 Weeks

You may have noticed that we are effusive little bunnies about every wine that we blog. And they are rather good! This story is a little more complicated. Fortunately, there is a happy ending if you enjoy a dry, dry rosé. Rosé can be anything from shockingly sweet through off-dry to dry. Personally, we are huge fans of the off-dry Limited Release Pink Pinot Grigio, which we still have in stock. So, it was something of a surprise to try the Reserve Grenache Rosé, both new and after ageing for three months. This a wine that has to be aged. It does not present well when young. However, at three months it is transformed. There is a clear and quite beautiful nose of strawberries that evokes warm summer days and cloudless skies. Strawberry carries through to the flavor and there is just the right acidity. And the finish? Dry. No, we mean dry. If you love dry rosé, this is your wine. And, if you would like one for the summer, put it on in the winter!

8 September

CHARDONNAY, AUSTRALIA

CLASSIC

4 Weeks

Full disclosure, this wine was a little bland of the day of bottling, but in honesty, what wine will be at its best at that point? Three months later we opened a bottle and wow. Two chardonnays for the price of one! This really is a Jekyll and Hyde wine, but you can decide who is who depending on your preference. This truly is a wine where temperature is everything. One of us first tried a sip of this wine at room temperature late on a Friday afternoon. It was Friday. The nose wasn’t strong, but the wine itself was a classic buttery chardonnay. Delicious. It started with citrus notes and then filled the palate with rich buttery notes. A couple of hours later and small tie in the fridge and the transformation was complete; acidic crispness predominates, and only tantalizing hints of butter remain. Which do we prefer? It depends on taste and mood, but, with a little aging, this wine can give you two great chardonnays. Take your pick.

26 AUGUST

THE SEMILLIONS

LIMITED RELEASE BOOMERANG WHITE AND UNION WHITE

6-8 Weeks

Ever bought a bottle of Semillion? They aren’t common. Semillion finds its home in French blends with Sauvignon Blanc and Australian Chardonnay. Semillion always brings ‘more’ to a wine, but what that looks like depends greatly on climate. In cooler climates Semillion offers crisp citrus flavours and acidity, but grown in warmer locations this transitions to rich tropical fruit and gentle sweetness. We currently have two Semillion Limited Releases; we have already blogged the Union White (French Sauvignon Blanc/Semillion), but it is worth making the contrast with the Boomerang (Australian Chardonnay/Semillion). Semillion transforms both wines in unexpected ways. Union White is a Sauvignon Blanc overlaid with papaya and rich fruit. Boomerang is Chardonnay with strong citrus notes and a crisp clean finish. We absolutely expected the reserve! A fruit filled Sauvignon Blanc and crisp and citrus Chardonnay are excellent wines. Give them a try while you can.

20 AUGUST

WHITE ZINFANDEL, CALIFORNIA

CLASSIC

4 Weeks

In the interests of full disclosure, we like a good rosé. You have probably been discouraged by cheap, sweet, tasteless rosés. However, rosé can offer fragrance and complexity with a range of sweetness. We were fortunate to receive a gift of a bottle of this White Zinfandel from friends. Even we can’t work our way through thirty-one bottles of every wine; at least not immediately!! The nose isn’t strong, but it was only bottled last week. The wine leads with cherry and finishes with strawberry. This is an off-dry wine, but some of the sweetness is cut by a touch of acidity. Like so many of the new Winexpert wines, White Zinfandel is more subtle and flavourful than is predecessor. Hope we can snag an aged bottle in a couple of months, because this wine has potential. We are also able to make a form of this wine with reduced sweetness; something that might be interesting!

5 AUGUST

BLACKBERRY PEACH ELDERFLOWER

NIAGARA MIST FRUIT WINE - LIMITED RELEASE

4 Weeks

Not familiar with Niagara Mist? It comes from the sister line to Island Mist. This wine typifies the new fruit wines; the flavours are subtle and genuine, the sugar is dialed down and the taste is great. As you would expect there are flavours of ripe sweet blackberry and fragant peach. These are balanced by a smooth elderberry finish. Alcohol leves are low, which make this the perfect wine for the pool or a picnic. For those who enjoy their fruit wines at conventional levels, the alcohol can raised.

3 AUGUST

GOLDMINE CALIFORNIA SYMPHONY GEWÜRZTRAMINER

LIMITED RELEASE

4 Weeks

With a blush, one of us has to admit that they only released Symphony was a grape a few weeks ago. It certainly isn't mainstream. Sparing you the history lesson, it is a Muscat and Grenache Gris cross that thrives in California to give rich flavours of stonefruit. Combined with Gewürztraminer the result if a rich, off-dry wine bursting with fruit. Straight from bottling this wine has a nose of peach and mango. There is certainly lychee, but the flavours of peach, apricot and nectarine (pick your stonefruit) are also clear. There is a rounded creamy finish. We like this wine from day 1. We are impressed. It will be around as long as we can get stock. And again this is a 4-week wine that performs beyound its price.

20 JULY

CALIFORNIA CABERNET SAUVIGNON - MERLOT

RESERVE

6 Weeks

Words like balanced, mature and relaxed spring to mind. We tend to be big red people, but we are learning the virtues of a well balanced wine. This Cab-Merlot is a wine with a full nose. There is definitely chocolate and anise with rich red fruits and cherries. It almost seems like a port. These aromas carry through into the wine’s flavours. There are red fruits and cherries with balanced oak and tannins. Cab-Merlot is classic; a staple of wine sellers everywhere, and with good reason. Do we like with wine? Absolutely. It has character and balance; it is a grown up wine to be enjoyed alone or with food. If you enjoy a wine that knocks gently at the door and introduces itself, this is your wine. It isn't pale, just polite.

10 JULY

UNION WHITE

LIMITED RELEASE

6 Weeks and 8 Weeks

Union White is a French Sauvignon Blanc-Sémillon. We made this wine as a 6-week and tried it on bottling. We thought little of it; 6- and 8-week wines sometimes aren’t meant to be drunk immediately. We have tried a bottle after two weeks and a month and watched it age beautifully. Even after a month this wine has developed character. What character? The nose is light; remember it is very young. However, we get flavours of melon, pear and gooseberry, with crisp acidity. The finish is gentle, well-rounded and almost creamy. It is a Sauvignon Blanc, but the Sémillon brings so much more. There is a richness that is rare in Sauvignon Blancs. We have high hopes for Union White. Hopefully, we will have a respectable number of bottles at six months.

28 JUNE

CALIFORNIA TRINITY RED

CLASSIC

4 Weeks

We opened a bottle of Trinity Red this evening that was bottled less than a month ago. And one of us was skeptical. What did we find? A great nose full of spice, anise and black fruit, which we called cherries. A great nose that should belong to a way more expensive wine. And the taste? The word has to be ‘balance’. We love big, fruit-forward reds. One of us loves ‘dry-your-mouth-out’ tannins. This wine is neither. There are blackberries and blueberries with hints of vanilla and the most gentle finish. This is not a big, bold wine; it is subtle and balanced. This is the second of the new 4-week reds we have made. It is entirely different from the GSM, but they share a quality that is beyond anything we expected. Trinity Red is a Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon.

9 JUNE

PEAR CIDER WITH LEMON DROP HOPS

MANGROVE JACK'S

Pear cider is good, really good. Mangrove Jack’s produce real ciders that don’t have ridiculous sugar contents. However, adding Lemon Drop Hops takes this to another level. The flavour is definitely pear; a gentle and delicate flavour that is authentically pear. This is balanced by subtle hops. The surprise is the distinct and totally delicious lemon and acidity that comes from the hops to give a crisp, thirst-quenching finish. Pear cider is great, pear cider with Lemon Drop Hops is better.

8 JUNE

YOLO

LIMITED EDITION

8 Weeks

Yolo? Now who thought of that name? Apparently, it is the Californian County from which these grapes hale. After this uninspiring start, let’s get down to the good stuff. This is a Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Muscat and all these grapes bring their classic characteristics. Chardonnay is crisp apple and tropical fruit. Chenin Blanc is lemon and acidity (we so wish we could find a pure Chenin Blanc). And, Muscat brings floral nose and a hint of sweetness. Together, this is an off-dry wine that offers a burst of floral and fruit notes on the nose. On the palette, a riot of fruit competes with crisp acidity and tartness. The fruit wins, but only just. Unlike some 8-week wines, YOLO is actually fabulous from bottling. And we will admit, it is pretty darn good made in 4-weeks or 6-weeks. One day we will age this wine, but it is hard to wait. We have snagged a stock of YOLO and keep topping it up, but it won’t last!

7 JUNE

GRENACHE SHIRAZ MOURVÈDRE (GSM), AUSTRALIA

CLASSIC

Welcome to the new big rid. We don’t think we have ever tasted a 4-week wine with so much character straight from bottling. GSM is……….an Australian classic. This wine starts with a nose of red fruit, leather and smoke, with an intensity with we have never seen in a 4-week wine. The red fruit brings a touch of sweetness followed by full-on fruit. There is gentle oak and tannins that lead through to a smooth dry finish. This is a big, big wine that will only grow. Well balanced and easy to drink. Great with a meal. A wine well above its price.

1 JUNE

AMARONE, ITALY

RESERVE

6 Weeks

A rich ruby red wine. The nose on the day of bottling that is full of jam and honey. And leather and luscious red fruit. Flavours of blueberries, blackberries, blackcurrant? Excuse the pun, but take you pick! This wine is full of deep rich aromatic red fruits with a hint of smoke. These are balanced by soft tannins to give a full, yet mellow, truly rewarding wine. Enjoy alone or with food. Amarone is new to us. This a fantastic wine when young, we can’t wait to blog this again as it ages. We also have this wine’s 8-week first cousin. It is high on our list to try.

25 MAY

GEWÜRZTRAMINER WITH ELDERFLOWERS, CALIFRONIA

RESERVE

Love, love, love, love, love. OK, if you don't enjoy off-dry wines the 6-week Gewürztraminer with Elderflowers this is just not your thing. If you enjoy the complex floral notes of Gewürztraminer with classic flavours of lychee, this is perfection. We enjot ths wine alone, but elderflowers take it to a new level of complexity. This is a true Gewürztraminer and worth the time to experiment. If you enjoy South East Asian or other spicy food, this is your wine. We also make this wine using the CLASSIC 4-week Gewürztraminer.

Price: $184.99 in store/$130.99 at home

17 MAY

BORDEAUX , FRANCE

PRIVATE RESERVE

8 Weeks

The terroir of Bordeaux brings unique qualities to its grapes. This PRIVATE RESERVE gives a nose of plum and blackcurrant that leads to these fruit flavours combined with a mineral edge and marked violet volatiles. The finish has distinct mouth-drying tannins. This Bordeaux is different from any other wine in our range. A great wine with food, but equal enjoyable as a sipping wine.

1 MAY

MANGO CITRUS

Island Mist Fruit Wine

Mango Citrus is new to the Island Mist line. Like all the new wines it is made with new technologies that are supposed to enhance flavour and nose. And it certainly seems to work. The wine offers what the name suggests; the sweetness and rich flavour of mango followed by a complex citrus finish. Is it good? Absolutely. Why? It hard to pin down what makes this wine so enjoyable. It seems to be both suble and bold. Try it and give it a better description.

1 MAY

PEACH RASPBERRY LEMONADE

LIMITED RELEASE

Island Mist Fruit Wine

Just like the Mango Citrus, above, this new fruit wine just seems 'better'. Rich peach flavours balanced by raspberry's aroma and tartness with an unashamed based on lemonade. Really enjoyable, even for our resident wine snob.

BLOG

2021

2020

28 October, 2019

Après: LATE HARVEST RIESLING

2019

20 October,2019

Mangrove Jack's: HOPPED APPLE CIDER (LIMITED RELEASE)

Makes 23 litres in 4 weeks at home

4.7 % alcohol

29 August

Mangrove Jack's: ELDERFLOWER LIME

Makes 23 litres in 4 weeks at home

4.7 % alcohol

1 August

Mangrove Jack's: RASPBERRY MANGO CIDER

Makes 23 litres in 4 weeks at home

4.7 % alcohol

BLOG

2021

2020

28 October, 2019 Après: LATE HARVEST RIESLING

2019

20 October,2019Mangrove Jack's: HOPPED APPLE CIDER (LIMITED RELEASE) Makes 23 litres in 4 weeks at home4.7 % alcohol

29 AugustMangrove Jack's: ELDERFLOWER LIME Makes 23 litres in 4 weeks at home4.7 % alcohol

1 AugustMangrove Jack's: RASPBERRY MANGO CIDER Makes 23 litres in 4 weeks at home4.7 % alcohol

28 October, 2019

Après: LATE HARVEST RIESLING

20 October,2019

Mangrove Jack's: HOPPED APPLE CIDER (LIMITED RELEASE)

Makes 23 litres in 4 weeks at home

4.7 % alcohol

29 August

Mangrove Jack's: ELDERFLOWER LIME

Makes 23 litres in 4 weeks at home

4.7 % alcohol

1 August

Mangrove Jack's: RASPBERRY MANGO CIDER

Makes 23 litres in 4 weeks at home

4.7 % alcohol