Vinoculation

Tasting Notes:

2009 Esk Valley Verdelho

Fruity nose of limes, grapefruit and tangelo with a hint of bell pepper. Medium bodied with a subtle texture, the palate of white peach and grapefruit is augmented by a zingy, juicy acidity, finishing fresh and dry. A thirst quencher, perfect for summer days, perfect for seafood.

2009 Coopers Creek The Groover Gruner Veltliner

Honeysuckle, ripe peach, white pepper, mandarin. Medium bodied, the palate is spicy, laden with stonefruit and a soft, gentle backbone of acidity frames the silken texture. Finishes dry and refreshing like a breathmint, with considerable length. Better than the ’08.

2008 Coopers Creek The Groover Gruner Veltliner

Honeysuckle, apricot, grapefruit, spice. Rich, medium to full bodied, broad palate, but blowsy and lacking focus. Hint of mint? Delicate fruit profile on palate. Weighty, slightly oily texture. Interesting for sure, and an introduction to the variety.

2008 Coopers Creek Little Rascal Arneis

Aromatic and complex; crushed sea shells, roast almonds, custard-apple, tangerine. Medium to full bodied, rich, lots of weight and tropical fruit flavours on the palate. Somehow it’s all restrained though and doesn’t become overbearing. Finishes long and dry.

2007 Coopers Creek Little Rascal Arneis

Very pale straw with a green tinge. Apricot kernel, pineapple, feijoa, mineral. It’s a beautifully balanced, gently textural and interesting wine. Lots of peachy flavours on the palate, with a streak of melon and nuttiness. Medium to full bodied, there is a delicacy to the wine that prevents it from being too rich or overbearing. Broad and augmented by a foundation of texture that resembles gossamer tannin, the acidity is present only in the  guise of juicy fruit. Finishes with fruit power and impact. A real surprise and a really classy wine – well done Coopers Creek.

2008 Dancing Water Tahou Scheurebe
The colour is a vibrant yellow, light-golden hue. The nose displays aromas of peach blossom, papaya, musk, honey and grapefruit. Supremely exotic, complex and delicious with a wonderful combination of fruit, floral perfume and sweetness. Made in an off-dry style, the wine is considerably textural and rich with a generous mouthfeel and layers of bright, tropical fruit. There are also hints of dried fig and apricot. A quirky Asian spice herbaceousness only adds to the wine’s individuality. With just enough acid to carry the finish, it’s a luxurious wine best enjoyed in its youth. Great as an aperitif, but a perfect match for any Asian dish with strong, authentic flavours (incredible with ginger prawns).

2007 Trinity Hill Tempranillo

Black cherry, black raspberry, star anise and a hint of toasty oak. Fruity, spicy, but also perfumed and floral. The palate is seamless, with layer upon layer of dark berry fruit, restrained by a dry structure of dusty, chewy tannins and youthful acidity. Screams out for dead animal or a banquet of carne tapas.

2008 Trinity Hill Tempranillo

Less of the unbridled black cherry power of the 2007, the 2008 is spicier, with notes of white pepper, mocha, raspberry and strawberry. Very primary on the palate; the wine a sum of parts waiting to integrate. Cherry/berry fruit, round, polished texture, a fine backbone of acidity and gently persistent tannins. A different beast to the ’07; more approachable and friendlier, the ’07 brawnier with more intensity.

2008 Herzog Zweigelt

Youthful crimson, burgundy colour tending purple when pouring. An arresting nose of black cherries, spices, flowers, raspberry. Highly perfumed. Medium bodied, it’s not that different to a nicely structured pinot, with perhaps more of a grainy texture. The winemaking is first rate; polished and seamless in the mouth, with an abundance of cherry fruit on the palate. Finishes with heightened cherry juiciness and long, ripe tannins. Lovely wine.

2004 Marsden Chambourcin

Interesting nose with a combination of primary berry fruit characters and age; mulberry, spiced plums, leather and chocolate raisins. The back label recommends a drinking window of 2-5 years and now, five (almost six) years on, there is still gas left in the tank. The structure of the wine is underpinned by a backbone of complementary acidity, with considerable fruit concentration and richness on the palate. It’s made in a rustic style; the mouthfeel edgy, some rough edges and dusty, sinewy tannins, but these imperfections only add to the wine’s charm and character. This was a fantastic match for a tomato based linguine marinara and is drinking at its peak now.