This is the ultimate offering in Chardonnay from Devil’s Lair, only released in great vintages (although in Margaret River, that really does not narrow things down much). First produced from the 2009 vintage, the fruit is harvested by hand and then whole-bunch pressed into one-year-old French barriques before ten months on lees with regular stirring. The 2017 is
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As the name suggests, these are vines with serious age, although they are dwarfed by some that have been around for three times longer that appear in other Château Tanunda wines. These vines were all planted before 1966, some quite a long time before. The grapes, again, were not crushed but rather destemmed and then spent a week on their skins in open fermenters, hand plunged twice daily. There followed basket pressing and maturation for two years in a mix of new and older French oak. Loved it. A dark maroon opaque colour, followed by just gorgeous fragrances. The wine
As the name suggests, these are vines with serious age, although they are dwarfed by some that have been around for three times longer that appear in other Château Tanunda wines. These vines were all planted before 1966, some quite a long time before. The grapes, again, were not crushed but rather destemmed and then spent a week on their skins in open fermenters, hand plunged twice daily. There followed basket pressing and maturation for two years in a mix of new and older French oak. Loved it. A dark maroon opaque colour, followed by just gorgeous fragrances. The wine
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MT Wines is the brand of winemaker Marco Tovazzi and his wife Portia. Marco originally hails from Trento in the north-eastern Italian region of Trentino-Alto Adige. The name nods both to his own initials and to Monte Bondone, the imposing mountain which shadows his birthplace. It was there that Marco first gained experience as a winemaker, as well as in the Tuscan region of Chianti, before moving to New Zealand. Vintages soon followed in Adelaide Hills, Barossa Valley, Hunter Valley and the Granite Belt, before joining Hoddles Creek Estate in 2015. MT Wines was created in 2017, giving Marco and
MT Wines is the brand of winemaker Marco Tovazzi and his wife Portia. Marco originally hails from Trento in the north-eastern Italian region of Trentino-Alto Adige. The name nods both to his own initials and to Monte Bondone, the imposing mountain which shadows his birthplace. It was there that Marco first gained experience as a winemaker, as well as in the Tuscan region of Chianti, before moving to New Zealand. Vintages soon followed in Adelaide Hills, Barossa Valley, Hunter Valley and the Granite Belt, before joining Hoddles Creek Estate in 2015. MT Wines was created in 2017, giving Marco and
Every week there are hundreds of new Australian wines hitting shelves and winelists around the world. Here is our regular update on what’s new from the biggest brands right down to the smallest boutique winemakers.
Now we are talking. If you do not love this wine then you do not love Cabernet. A cracking vintage – yes, I know, that is a broken record for this region – the grapes were sourced from the estate’s premium vineyards throughout the Margaret River region. Fermentation took place in small static fermenters for 12 to 14 days. The wine then spent fifteen months in French oak barriques (40% new and the rest a mix of one and two-year-old oak). A wonderfully fragrant wine; opaque purple and classic Cabernet. Aromas of black jellybeans, plums, cassis, aniseed, leather, blackberries and
The next step up the Devil’s ladder. The fruit for this wine comes from some of the more southerly vineyards in the region, a little cooler than most. The wine matures for nine months in a mix of French oak barriques (40% new and the rest a mix of one and two-year-old oak). Gentle lees stirring adds to the complexity. The colour is a vibrant lemon/gold. This has class, intensity and refinement with notes of spices, well integrated oak, lemon, melon, river stones, ginger and stone fruit. Good acidity runs the length, the balance is immaculate and it has great persistence.
Kiwi winemakers are now crafting some of the greatest wines on the planet. Our team in Australia and New Zealand hunt down the best new releases from right around the country to share with you.
Made from an almost twenty year old Bannockburn vineyard Dicey’s The Inlet Pinot Noir makes a grand statement from the get go. It’s immediately beautifully aromatic with powerful ripe fleshy red berry fruits lifted by Five Spice and red liquorice with a faint animal skin edge. The palate then has great energy and brightness – spicy cherry fruit that is silky and pure supported by ample tannins that then drives a long, spicy and seductive finish. It is already delicious but also has the staying power to improve over the next decade, if you can keep your hands off it.
Made from an almost twenty year old Bannockburn vineyard Dicey’s The Inlet Pinot Noir makes a grand statement from the get go. It’s immediately beautifully aromatic with powerful ripe fleshy red berry fruits lifted by Five Spice and red liquorice with a faint animal skin edge. The palate then has great energy and brightness – spicy cherry fruit that is silky and pure supported by ample tannins that then drives a long, spicy and seductive finish. It is already delicious but also has the staying power to improve over the next decade, if you can keep your hands off it.
Looking for a change? Then let us guide you through the world of wine with our International new releases. We’ve got reviews and stories on everything from bargain supermarket picks right through to international icons.
Being open-minded with food and wine matching can take you to places you never thought you could reach. The idea of ‘sticking to the norm’ or rigidly adhering to the ‘right’ matching can be somewhat narrow. Goat curry is one of those dishes not often found in an Australian diet. Having spent time working in establishments with many Indian chefs over the years, I’ve developed a significant appreciation for it. The tenderising of the meat is key and proper preparation can take up to 48 hours. Portuguese wines offer an array of blends from their native varieties. ‘Coutada velha’ translates
Being open-minded with food and wine matching can take you to places you never thought you could reach. The idea of ‘sticking to the norm’ or rigidly adhering to the ‘right’ matching can be somewhat narrow. Goat curry is one of those dishes not often found in an Australian diet. Having spent time working in establishments with many Indian chefs over the years, I’ve developed a significant appreciation for it. The tenderising of the meat is key and proper preparation can take up to 48 hours. Portuguese wines offer an array of blends from their native varieties. ‘Coutada velha’ translates
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