A few Oz wines that passed over my desk last week (Australian dollars). Martin
Hardys Siegersdorf Riesling 2003 $9. South Australia. Screwcap. Pale yellow, greenish edge. Floral and lime nose. Fresh, juicy, mouth-filling with a zingy citrus tinged finish. This trophy winning wine - great value for money. Cellar to 2015.
Hewitson Mermaids Dry Muscadelle 2004 $16. Screwcap. Water pale. Perfume reminded me of pears and flowers. Light and dry and full of fruit ripeness with soft acid to finish. Lovely luncheon style.
Heggies Eden Valley Viognier 2003 $27. Screwcap. Light gold with green. Aromatic nose of peaches and apples. Substantial flavours on the palate – think of a mouthful of freshly baked apple pie - without the sugar. Texture shows a nice steely edge. This wine would go really well with Yum Cha.
Goundrey Offspring Chardonnay 2002 $20. Screwcap. Great Southern, Margaret River and Frankland River, Western Australia. Light straw. Tropical fruits a la pineapple on the nose. Abundant stone fruits underpinned with toasted oak make for a very satisfying, well-weighted mouthful – soft acidity leads to a lengthy finish.
Campbells SDC 2002 $15.50. Rutherglen, Victoria. Shiraz, durif and cabernet sauvignon. Crimson. Plums and liquorice on the nose. Inviting spicy palate, softish tannins, warming alcohol (14.5%) finish.
Mount Avoca Merlot 2000 $20. Medium ruby. Fourteen percent cabernet sauvignon. Attractive berry and dusty oak nose. Elegant sweet fruit with blackcurrant conserve undertones, fine lasting tannins. Shows power and depth of flavour.
Peter Lehmann Barossa Shiraz 2002 $19.50. To be released in July. Deep red. Pungent ripe blackberries, anise and choc/vanilla oak on the nose. Solid velvety red with extravagant fruit, firm tannins and a likeable mocha flavoured finish. When overseas visitors ask me to recommend a stereotypical Australian red the answer is always 'Try the Lehmann Barossa Valley Shiraz.'
Wynns Coonawarra Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 $30. Dark dense crimson to purple. Classic minty Coonawarra nose showing cool climate red and blackcurrants with a hint of blackcurrant leaf. Palate offers chewy lasting tannins, fine oak treatment and fruit intensity coupled with hints of darkest chocolate. Cellar to 2015.
Seppelt Show Sparkling Shiraz 1994 $65. To be released July
1 under a choice of crown seal (like a beer bottle top.) or cork. This one had the crown seal. Great Western, Victoria. Aged eight and a half years on lees. Medium red, purplish foam. Fragrant lifted nose of blackberries and spice. Creamy mouthfeel, more berries, beautifully balanced, long delicious aftertaste. I've tasted these wines back to the '46 vintage – all brilliant. Cellar to 2024.