In continuing the celebration of New South Wales Wine, even though the Festival is done for the year, here are some wine recommendations that I have tasted recently that define the innovative nature of the state’s winemaking community plus some classics.
These are only a sample though. A mere starting place for your own exploration. ……
Tulloch Vineyard Selection Verdelho 2014 ($18) – Christine Tulloch and her team not only produce some classic Hunter Shiraz, they also have made Verdelho their own. Tulloch have a Verdelho to suit most occasions and tastes with their version of moscato; Verscato, this dry crisp version, the off dry, easy drinking tropical fruit scented Tulloch Verdelho and lastly the traditional and superb fortified Tulloch Crème de Vin. The Crème de Vin contains wine from the solera started in 1973. It’s toffee topped brulee, orange peel and juice personality is sweet, fresh and lingering.
The Tulloch Vineyard Selection Verdelho 2014 has the fragrance of ripe nectarine wrapped around a grapefruit core with its citrus zing. Full of the flavour and guile this variety is known for, the soft supple acid flows long from the mid palate through to the finish. Chill it down on a warm day, drink with lunch or as a sundowner. It is an easy choice.
Moppity Vineyards 2013 Reserve Shiraz ($70) – In their ten years at Moppity, Jason and Alecia Brown are just hitting their stride. Along with Chalkers Crossing, they have placed the Hilltops region firmly on red winelovers radar. This particular wine has been winning gongs and deserved acclaim and last year picked up the trophy for the Great Australian Shiraz Challenge 2014.
The elegant 2013 Reserve Shiraz is smooth, juicy and intense. Fuller in body, the judicious use of new and seasoned oak adds spice and texture while leaving the fruit as the hero. Ripe and lush, you might just be able to resist drinking it now to hold onto it in the mid term. To help build your resistance, Moppity also have other notable Shirazs – Moppity Vineyards Estate Shiraz 2013 ($30), Moppity Lock & Key Reserve Shiraz 2013 ($25).
For $20, Moppity Lock & Key Hilltops Shiraz 2013 is a high achiever, delivering outstanding quality for the value. Vibrant hued colour, and fragrant mulberry, cherry, mint, freshly ground pepper and cinnamon spice leaps from the glass. The Lock & Key Shiraz is juicy, succulent, soft and ripe with detailed compleity. It is one of those wines that you can enjoy for dinner and then slips seamlessly into the after-Friday-night-dinner-with-friends chill out couch
Briar Ridge Dairy Hill Semillon 014 ($35) – Her first vintage as chief winemaker was a stellar start for Gwyn OIsen in pocketing trophies at multiple shows. One being for Best Current Vintage Semillon in the Hunter Valley wine show. With classic citrus zing lifted with floral highlights this sem has an intensity that lasts from the first sniff and lingers tangy and long in the mouth.
Some cellar time will give that honeyed lanolin edge that makes aged Hunter Valley Semillon so good however, I would be buying more than one to start drinking it now and then enjoy the others over
the next 5 to 10. If this wine has sold out, the Briar Ridge Stockhausen Semillon 2014 ($28) has a slightly riper grapefruit and white peach appeal to the floral fruit with just a touch of savoury garden herbs on the finish.