Splurgehttp://www.quaff.com.au/splurge/en-AU2012-02-14T22:04:48ZSquarespace Site Server v5.11.81 (http://www.squarespace.com/)2009 Bird in Hand Shiraz $30http://www.quaff.com.au/splurge/2012/2/8/2009-bird-in-hand-shiraz-30.htmlPeter Forrestal2012-02-08T10:09:42ZI've been a huge fan of Adelaide Hills shiraz since its recent emergence as the most exciting new red wine style in the country: with exemplary shiraz from Shaw & Smith, Petaluma, Longview 'Yakka' and The Lane 'Block 14'. A bracket of seven examples from the region in my most recent new release tasting confirmed my view and threw up the latest vintage of the Nugent family's Bird in Hand Shiraz. A web search indicated that it had already won four trophies and two further gold medals. The 2009 Bird in Hand Shiraz has bright floral aromatics, cool juicy, brambly, mulberry, blackberry pastille flavours that are rich and concentrated, plush fleshy texture and soft fine tannins. Delicious.

]]>2009 Willow Creek Pinot Noir $40http://www.quaff.com.au/splurge/2011/1/12/2009-willow-creek-pinot-noir-40.htmlPeter Forrestal2011-01-12T04:07:33ZThe quality of pinot noir produced in Australia has improved dramatically in the past decade as vineyards get older and viticulturists learn more about this tricky variety. No region in Australia is making outstanding pinot more consistently than the Mornington Peninsula. After 20 years, Willow Creek's vines are mature and at the peak of form: you could say the same about winemaker, Geraldine McFaul who has 15 vintages under her belt at Stonier's and Willow Creek on Mornington. Together with an experienced viticultural team, they have produced a classy single vineyard pinot from the difficult 2009 vintage. It has gently brooding aromatics, blackberry, mulberry and bramble flavours that are deep and long; smooth, satiny texture – an almost ethereal feel – before a pleasing, lingering finish.

]]>2006 Tahbilk Shiraz $21.50http://www.quaff.com.au/splurge/2010/9/8/2006-tahbilk-shiraz-2150.htmlPeter Forrestal2010-09-08T09:54:51ZOne of the highlights of the tasting year were the celebrations for Nagambie Lakes producer, Tahbilk’s 160th anniversary celebrations, with examples of this wine stretching back to 1958. Some of the older vintages showed how well these wines can age: the 1961 (complex, still with attractive sweet fruit), 1966 (lively with ripe sweet fruit and a lovely dry finish), 1986 (bold pepper characters, still lively) and 1987 (complex, spicy, earthy flavours). The stars were the most recent reds, including this impressive 2006 Shiraz: vibrant ripe red berry aromas, redcurrant and red plum flavours, silky smooth texture, finishing with ripe, fine-grained tannins in delicate balance with weighty fruit.

That's the entry in Quaff 2011. There's another reason for thinking about Tahbilk this week - and that's the floods in Central Victoria. I haven't had a report from Tahbilk but suspect that they are in the thick of things and quite likely ravaged by the floods. That's another good reason to enjoy a bottle of this: enjoy it with a roast of lamb and toast this historic winery.

]]>2009 & 2010 Turkey Flat Rosé $25http://www.quaff.com.au/splurge/2010/9/8/2009-2010-turkey-flat-rose-25.htmlPeter Forrestal2010-09-08T09:48:55ZWhile Turkey Flat has reliably been one of Australia’s finest rosés, the 2009 is an absolute cracker. It’s a blend of grenache, shiraz, cabernet sauvignon and dolcetto that has attractive brambly redcurrant flavours, with a hint of licorice and musk stick. A touch of sweetness is offset by lively natural acidity and a gentle grip.

I tasted the 2010 Turkey Flat Rosé in a line up of 21 rosés yesterday and it was as good as the previous wine – in fact, it topped the tasting just ahead of the 2010 Majella 'Melody' Rosé. The 2010 Turkey Flat has ripe sweet raspberry, musk stick and redcurrant flavours, a hint of brambles, is vibrant, fresh and tangy on the palate, finishing crisp, clean and long.

]]>2009 Radford Eden Valley Riesling $24http://www.quaff.com.au/splurge/2010/9/8/2009-radford-eden-valley-riesling-24.htmlPeter Forrestal2010-09-08T09:47:22ZBen Radford is chief winemaker at the Barossa’s iconic Rockford, so Gill makes the family wine on their property high in the Eden Valley. The vineyard is managed biodynamically and boasts some of the region’s oldest riesling vines, dating back to the 1930s. This is riesling at its purest and most elemental: fine, subtle and delicate, showing bright, intense lemongrass and lime juice flavours, lingering crisp and ultra-dry.

www.radfordwines.com

]]>2009 Helm Classic Dry Riesling $28http://www.quaff.com.au/splurge/2010/6/13/2009-helm-classic-dry-riesling-28.htmlPeter Forrestal2010-06-13T13:32:36ZThe Canberra region is enjoying such success in recent times with many of the newer producers joining the established superstars in drawing attention to themselves and the region. One of the pioneers, Ken Helm, continues his amazing show success by winning gold at the Sydney Show with this 2009 Helm Classic Dry Riesling. It is subtle, fine and delicate with intense pear and apple flavours, wonderful focus and vibrant zippy acidity. His flagship 2009 Helm Premium Riesling ($45) is a better wine though it only won silver in Sydney. This is made for the long haul and is now tight, steely, lean with a taut, crisp, ultra dry finish. Give it time.

]]>2008 Spinifex 'Taureau' $24http://www.quaff.com.au/splurge/2010/5/12/2008-spinifex-taureau-24.htmlPeter Forrestal2010-05-11T22:23:31ZSpinifex is one of Australia most exciting small wineries. It is a member of the Artisans of the Barossa a collective dedicated to environmental sustainability and the traditions of the region. Peter Schell and Magali Gely have been making wine under the Spinifex label since 2001, melding their love of the Barossa with Magali's family history of making wine near Montpellier in the south of France. As Peter has worked six of the past ten vintages in France, it's not surprising that they have specialised in making Barossa wines from Mediterranean varieties. 'Taureau' is a seamless blend of predominantly tempranillo with roughly equal portions of carignan, cabernet sauvignon and graciano. It is soft, round and fleshy, stretching silky smooth across the palate, highlighting concentrated dark fruits of blackberries, black plums, mulberries with a minerally, savoury edge. It has the tightness of structure, finesse and ripe slinky tannins to age well yet is seductively approachable now. Limited availability: www.spinifexwines.com.au

]]>2007 Pepper Tree 'Coquun' Shiraz $31http://www.quaff.com.au/splurge/2010/4/27/2007-pepper-tree-coquun-shiraz-31.htmlPeter Forrestal2010-04-27T08:17:09ZBright youngish winemakers like Jim Chatto are reinventing the Hunter with succulent, elegant shiraz like this. An excellent vintage expresses itself with ripe sweet redcurrant and dark plum flavours, beautifully integrated French oak, silky smooth texture, richness, concentration and finesse, finishing with a powerful kick that satisfies.

There's none left at the cellar door but I'm hoping that you'll still find stocks in retail land. It'll be worth the hunt.

You could try the distributors:

Deja vu

Belinda Worland

Mobile 0414 612 793

bworland@dejavuwines.com.au

]]>2008 Leconfield Cabernet Sauvignon $30.95http://www.quaff.com.au/splurge/2010/4/13/2008-leconfield-cabernet-sauvignon-3095.htmlPeter Forrestal2010-04-13T10:40:17ZThere are a number of very good to outstanding Coonawarra cabernets on the market for about $30 - 2008 Majella, 2006 Zema Estate, 2007 Wynns 'Black Label', 2006 Brands 'Laira Blockers' – and the 2008 Balnaves is just a touch more. It is, therefore, possible to splurge on one of Australia's best cabernets without maxing out your credit card.

To the above list, I'd add the 2008 Leconfield Cabernet: the best wine that I've seen from them yet. Since Paul Gordon joined as Senior Winemaker in 2001, the Leconfield wines have shown continued improvement but this is the high point. It is among the best Australian cabernets at present on the market and so is a veritable bargain. The 2008 Leconfield has pure ripe sweet intense redcurrant pastille, raspberry jelly and blackcurrant flavours that are opulent and ultra-concentrated. There's silky smooth texture, seamless integration of fruit, oak and tannin, before a gently firm, dry finish.

]]>2008 Phi Pinot Noir $65http://www.quaff.com.au/splurge/2010/3/12/2008-phi-pinot-noir65.htmlPeter Forrestal2010-03-12T03:07:23ZSteve Webber is one of Australia's most visionary and innovative winemakers and a powerful influence on the next generation of Yarra Valley winemakers. He was Gourmet Traveller Wine's Winemaker of the Year in 2008. Steve and his wife, De Bortoli director Leanne De Bortoli, and Stephen and Kate Shelmerdine have joined forces with Phi. Their plan is to produce some exemplary single vineyard sauvignon, chardonnay and pinot noir from the Shelmerdine's Lusatia Park vineyard (planted 1985). It's situated high in the hills of the Yarra's south-east and has free-draining, friable red volcanic soils over basalt rock, is densely planted, and low yielding. In making this pinot, Steve Webber's aim is to produce a red that evokes the place from which it comes.

The 2008 Phi Pinot is a simple splendid pinot noir: ethereal, lightly framed yet intensely flavoured – in the spectrum of mulberry and brambles – satiny smooth, fine and elegant with ripe slinky tannins highlighting a marvellous long finish. Although primal now, it has the complexity to evolve further with time in the bottle. An Aussie pinot to share with your fussiest friends from overseas. www.phiwines.com

]]>