Tyrrell’s The Lost Block Shiraz 2012

Tyrrell’s The Lost Block Shiraz 2012

This is the most open and approachable of all the current release wines and I suppose that is a feature of the variety. The structure of the wine is lacking but there is a plumpness with red and blackberry flavours that holds the wine in an attractive manner. The entry of the wine is sweet but there are enough fruity flavours to balance it all out. Is this a wine for me? I could happily drink this with a bit of charred meat if I could find it at the right price.

Alcohol: 14.5%

Price: $18

Rated: 83

Drink: Now - 2015

Salomon undhof Wieden & Berg Tradition Gruner Veltliner 2011

This wine is a blend of grape from two vineyards in the Kremstal region in Austria.

Salomon undhof Wieden & Berg Tradition Gruner Veltliner 2011

Wow baby is this light number spicy as all hell but it has extra moments of pear, ginger, lemon and muck sticks and crushed flowers. The balance between lightness and richness with masses of depth of flavour is rather impressive. The flavours enter in a light and zesty manner before morphing into rich and deeper styles on the mid-palate and then ending with a hooty tooty vibrancy.

Alcohol: 12.5%

Price: $27 - $30

Rated: 92

Drink: Now – 2020

Tyrrell's The Lost Block Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

Tyrrell’s have released a set of new lost block wines that have a regional focus. This wine comes from McLaren Vale which in most years manages to produce good quality rich Cabernet without the leafy nature of many wines from Coonawarra, Yarra Valley and Margaret River.

Tyrrell’s The Lost Block Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

These new lost block wines need a while in the cellar to fully show their colours. They are a little awkward to begin with but after 2 days open they start to meld together. This might be the problem with 2012 wines as they aren’t as generous as some of the other years like 06, 07, 08 and 09 but the structure of the wines holds them in good stead. In the end the wine has a lovely savoury profile but with blackcurrant, dark chocolate, green pepper corns and spices from the orient.  The medium bodied nature works well with food as is the flavour profile but the greenness of the wine needs either a long stint in the decanter or a few years in the cellar to resolve itself.

Alcohol: 14%

Price: $18

Rated: 84

Drink: 2015 – 2019

Chaffey Bros. Wine Co. The Killer Pinot Grigio 2012

The label for this wine is very smart and makes it attractive when it sits on the wine shelf. The variety was first introduced into Australia by James Busby back in 1832. The variety is living the high life at the moment as it seems to be on the by the glass list in many restaurants and wine bars. Personally I think the Mornington Peninsula is doing the best in Australia but Italy is still the king.

The Killer Pinot Grigio 2012

The flavours are good for a wine under 10 bucks with a slight difference than I am used to for this variety. This profile is slightly sour but still retains the lovely pear flavour with the palate heaviness sitting at around the light weight end of the spectrum. The flavours hit the front palate well but stop at around the mid-palate which means this would work well at a barbeque but not at a high class wine snob party.

Alcohol: 11.3%

Price: $9

Rated: 82

Drink: Now

Pizzini Nebbiolo 2010

Nebbiolo provides all the goodness of Pinot Noir but has the structure of cabernet to match. Bring that of baby as it offers so much more.  

 

Pizzini Nebbiolo 2010 

 

When compared to the 2009 this wine is more fragrant and less heavy yet it still retains the undergrowth nature. There are notes of red berry fruit mixed with wild roses and red liquorice on an extremely long palate length. At the moment the flavours are wound up in a rambunctious load of dry chalky tannins but give it 6 years and it will show well. I like this more than the 2009 but for enjoyment at this stage the 09 looks better.  

 

Alcohol: 13.8% 

Price: $48 

Rated: 92++ 

Drink: 2019 - 2030 

 

 

Atlas 172’ Riesling 2011

Atlas is a relatively young winery based in the Clare Valley. They also make a wine or two from the Barossa but their true beautiful wines are the whites from the Clare. This wine is from the Watervale region and is light on its feet with plenty of length.  

 

Atlas 172’ Riesling 2011 

 

Magical! The precision and line of this wine is a delight but it is the interesting and unique flavour spectrum that is most satisfying. The flavours come across as dried lemon ring, orange blossom, crushed violets and lime pulp which slowly works their way along my tongue and fans out towards the end. The palate is medium to full body with a crunch on the back end. I would recommend drinking now or whenever you want over the next 15 years.  

 

 

Alcohol: 12.5% 

Price: $24 

Rated: 93 

Drink: Now – 2026