Italian Grape Varieties

Posted on October 15, 2017 by The Wine Commander

This is a very simplistic brief description on how to assess the various Italian grape varieties. An ideal reference for any blind tasting.
BARBERA
Its flavours range from vanilla, raspberry, nutmeg and cherry to intense liquorice.
DOLCETTO
Deep colour but with soft tannins. Is a soft, fruity assessable red with plush black fruit flavours.
FRAPPATO
Ruby colour with violet hues with intense aromas of violets, spices and red cherry. A medium body light refreshing wine with a distinct grapey aroma and notable acidity.
NEBBIOLO
Translucent colour like pinot and is delicate on the nose. But when you taste you are greeted with robust tannin and high acidity showing dried fruit, flowers, spices, sweets and delicate herbaceous aromas. It is Italy’s most perfumed and powerful red. Its skins are surprisingly thin for a grape known for its biting tannins.
MONTEPULCIANO
Medium bodied with plum, and coffee flavourswith subtle hints of crushed black pepper. It can finish a little fruity but with unmistakablable flavours of black cheery.
NERELLO MASCALESE
A spicy deep coloured black grape used as a base for reds of Eastern Sicily. Tough one to call as it has a complex variety of scents from red fruit to subtle spice and tobacco tones.
NERO D’AVOLA
A bolder red wine with plum, raspberry and licorice over tones and a somewhat smoky spiced finish..   Many people compare its character to Syrah.
SANGIOVESE
High in acid with dry, dusty tannins. Raspberry, toasted tomato and cherry flavours enhanced by subtle spice.

Putting the above descriptions to the test the following wines were tasted and identified.
All are readily available and represent great drinking and value. Your introduction to Italian wine varieties can start right here!  The standout was the Coriole Barbera 2014.  RUSH and BUY!

CORIOLE BARBERA 2014
95 points
$24 – $26  Widely available
BENEVELLI PIERO LANGHE ROSSO NUMERO 3 2015 (Nebbiolo)
88 points
$25 Google Winestar
Il PASSO NERELLO MASCALESE NERO D’AVOLA 2015
89 points
$20 Boccaccio cellars or widely available
ALTA MORA ETNA ROSSO DOC 2014 (100% Nerello Mascalese)
86  points
$36 – $45 Google availability
AMARANTA MONTEPULCIANO D’ABRUZZO  2014
90 points
$30 – $35 search

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Yeringberg New Releases

Posted on October 15, 2017 by The Wine Commander

Last weekend saw Yeringberg open its gates for the annual tasting of its new releases.

Tasted were:
2015 Marsanne Roussanne $50
2015 Chardonnay $50
2011 Chardonnay $50
2015 Pinot Noir $75
2015 Shiraz $65
2015 Yeringberg $75

The pick in the line-up were:

2015 Chardonnay
Peach with some citrus overtones, fresh and a hint of oak makes this wine very smooth and drinkable with no dominant fruit or oak.
2015 Yeringberg
A classic Yarra blend of Bordeaux varieties. It is elegant with great depth and structure. Lovely slight vanilla up front Beautifully balanced.

Both wines well recommended but note the price and ask have I seen similar styles for less?

 

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2017 Yarra Valley Wine Show Results

Posted on October 15, 2017 by The Wine Commander

Apparently the highlight from this year’s show was the overall quality of the Cabernet classes and Shiraz.  I note that Yeringberg Cabernet Blend 2015 won the  Best Bordeaux Varieties  trophy.   Yeringberg has just released their latest vintage which I will review next week.

Champion Wine of Show for 2017 was awarded to Giant Steps Primavera Vineyard Pinot Noir 2016, which also won Best Single Vineyard Red Wine and Best Red Wine in Show.  A. Rodda Wines Willowlake Chardonnay 2016 won the Best Chardonnay Trophy, Single Vineyard White Wine and the Best White Wine in Show.

Vineyard of the year went to HandPicked Wines’ Highbow Hill Vineyard in Yarra Glen and Oakridge Wines won the Most Successful Exhibitor award.

 Trophy winners were as follows

  1. Best Sparkling – Coldstream Hills Pinot Noir Chardonnay Sparkling 2013
  2. Best Other Single White Varieties & blends – St Huberts Roussanne 2015
  3. Best Chardonnay – A. Rodda Wines Willowlake Vineyard Chardonnay 2016
  4. Best Rosé –  WupyDo Wines Rose Pinot Noir 2017
  5. Best Pinot Noir – Steps, Giant Steps Primavera Vineyard Pinot Noir 2016
  6. Best Cabernet Sauvignon – Rob Dolan White Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
  7. Best Bordeaux Varieties & their blends – Yeringberg Cabernet Blend 2015
  8. Best Shiraz and Shiraz dominant blends –  Rob Dolan White Label Shiraz 2016
  9. Best Other Single Red Varieties & blends –  Yarra Yering Dry Red No.3 2016
  10. Best Museum Wine –  Yering Station Reserve Chardonnay 2012
  11. Best Single Vineyard White Wine – A. Rodda Wines Willowlake Vineyard Chardonnay 2016
  12. Best Single Vineyard Red Wine –   Giant Steps Primavera Vineyard Pinot Noir 2016
  13. Best White Wine in Show –  A. Rodda Wines Willowlake Vineyard Chardonnay 2016
  14. Best Red Wine in Show – Giant Steps Primavera Vineyard Pinot Noir 2016
  15. Champion Wine of Show –  Giant Steps Primavera Vineyard Pinot Noir 2016
  16. Most Successful Exhibitor – Oakridge Wines
  17. Vineyard of the Year — Yarra Glen, Highbow Hill Vineyard
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