Apr
3

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Donnafugata Bell’Assai Vittoria DOC Frappato Sicilia 2016

Category: elegant reds, Red Wine Leave a Comment

donnafugata-bellassaiFrappato is a one of my recent discoveries. The grape is one of Sicily’s many natives and is a lighter bodied red, this one hailing from Vittoria in the South East of the island. Donnafugata is the label of the Rallo family, who have made Marsala since the mid-19th Century.  Today, they make varietal wines showcasing some of Sicily’s most interesting native varieties.

Bell’Assai beguiling wine made from the Frappato grape with an evocative nose of wild herbs, cherry, rose, orange peel and spice. It is ever so smooth, very elegant and well balanced. Stainless steel all the way has left the ripe tannins soft and slippery. Read More

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Mar
28

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Pizzini Arneis 2017

Category: fruity white, King Valley, White Wine Tags: Leave a Comment

pizzini-arneis-wmArneis is one of Italy’s white wine grapes and is just one of the Italian varieties that the Pizzini family of Australia’s King Valley champion.  It is a variety that has a richly perfumed heart redolent of honeysuckle and stonefruit that brings with it the essence of summer. It makes as good a companion for spicy food as it does for a fleshy piece of white fish with toasted flaked almonds and lemon beurre blanc.

This tasty mouthfilling, dry white has all the hallmark aromas of jasmine and honeysuckle wrap themselves around ripe peach and pear. The fuller body has a lushness in the mouth that is balanced with a soft, fresh flush of acid. Chill it lightly to get the best from this wine’s loquacity.

Quickie review «This wine’s rich perfume exudes the scents of summer while keeping it fresh. Very stylish indeed! »

Country of Origin: Australia  Date: February 2018   Price: AUD24 | GBP16   Drink: now  Needs food: no   Source: tasting

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Mar
28

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John Duval Plexus Shiraz Grenache Mourvedre

Category: Barossa Valley, bold reds Tags: , , Leave a Comment

John Duval winesJohn Duval’s mastery in winemaking is apparent in the elegance of the wines in his range. The former Penfold’s winemaker makes wines that are immediately drinkable or even better with some rest in your cellar. The Plexus is a Rhone blend, one that makes Shiraz the star with it making up 52% of the blend, Grenache 32% and the rest Mourvedre. All sourced from around the Barossa Valley. There is a matching pair, a white blend of Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier which I have also found to be a fragrant treat.

Expect the Plexus red 2015 Read More

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Mar
16

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Cantina Valpolicella Negrar La Tirela Amarone Classico DOCG 2014

Category: bold reds Leave a Comment

tirela-amarone-wmValpolicella produces some of Italy’s vinous treasures and fascinatingly, all the wines come from a blend of the same three grape varieties – Corvina, Molinara and Rondinella. Perhaps the wine most sort after here is Amarone made by semi-drying the ripe red grapes after they are picked. Either laid on shelves or hung to get Read More

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Feb
28

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Philip Shaw Edinburgh NV Chardonnay Pinot Noir

Category: Fizz, Orange Leave a Comment

Edinburgh-NVwm

A truly unique label from a winemaker that carves his own ground. Philip Shaw has made his home in Orange, New South Wales and his cellar door there is rather spectacular.

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