Farrside Geelong Pinot Noir by Farr
From their base in Geelong, around 80 kilometres southwest of Melbourne, Gary Farr and his son Nick make small quantities of single vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that rank with Australia’s best. Gary has been making wine since the early 1980s in both Australia (at Bannockburn) and Burgundy (for 10 vintages at Domaine Dujac). Not only following in his father’s footsteps, Nick has carved out a reputation all his own and was named Winemaker of the Year by Gourmet Traveller Wine in 2020.This Pinot has a balanced array of red and black fruit and is both fresh and edgy. Deep meaty, spicy and mineral notes continue to evolve thanks to the character of the vineyards. This is a firm yet delicate wine with a long, textured finish. A beautiful wine.Perfect with roast lamb. Also roast turkey (I've had this with Christmas dinner and it is amazing) and chicken.
Tolpuddle Pinot Noir
The Tolpuddle vineyard was purchased by Martin Shaw and Michael Hill Smith in 2011. It is situated in the Coal River Valley, in Tasmania’s south-east corner. First planted in 1988 by Tony Jordan and Garry Crittenden, it has since established a reputation for growing exceptional quality grapes, with the focus on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The cool but relatively dry climate allows the grapes to ripen slowly in autumn, without the disease pressure that heavy rainfall can bring.The vineyard took its name from the Tolpuddle Martyrs, who were transported to Australia in 1834 for starting an agrarian union in Tolpuddle in Dorset. The leader of the group, George Loveless, served part of his sentence working on a property near Richmond called GlenAyr, part of which is now the Tolpuddle Vineyard.This is certainly one of Australia's best Pinot Noirs with this vintage rated 99/100 on jamessuckling.com.
Elegant and balanced but with great complexity and depth. Stunning wine!
Perfect Pinot for a special occasion. On my list for Christmas Day this year!
Barolo, Giacomo Fenocchio, Piemonte
Amarone, Musella
Musella make very special wines! What makes them unique is that they look for harmony and balance in the wine, not just power and intensity. Don't get me wrong, this is still a full-bodied wine, made with dried grapes in the usual way, but it isn't too intense or too alcoholic like a lot of modern Amarone. This is deliciously drinkable; more than one glass won't knock you out! Maddalena Pasqua is passionate about her vineyards and the land on which she lives; she makes wines that shine with this love. All the vineyards and farmed Biodynamically and the wines made by hand.
A great wine to finish the meal and can accompany a range of cheeses including complex Cheddars such as Montgomery or Pitchfork, or soft blues like Beauvale.
Henschke ‘Keyneton Euphonium’
Available to pre-order for delivery/collection from Thursday Oct 7th66% Syrah/Shiraz , 19% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 5% Cabernet FrancThe Henschke family have been making wine at their estate in the Eden Valley since 1868. Fifth-generation winemaker Stephen Henschke took over running the winery in 1979. Through a combination of great viticulture from Prue, named ‘Outstanding Viticulturalist 2020’, who is at the forefront of re-introducing native plants into their vineyards to improve biodiversity, and winemaking from Stephen, they have built upon their inheritance and turned this traditional producer into one that is celebrated all around the world.Keyneton Euphonium is a beautiful composition of Shiraz from up to 50-year-old vines growing in the Eden and Barossa Valleys, blended with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc from selected vineyards in both regions, some of which were planted by Cyril Henschke at his Eden Valley property in the 1960's. The Barossa hills village of Keyneton, pioneered by pastoralist Joseph Keynes in 1842, was a musical and cultural focus for the early settlers, and was home to the Henschke Family Brass Band, founded in 1888. It featured wind instruments such as a B flat euphonium, a large brass wind instrument, which has been lovingly restored and remains in the Henschke family.While the Hill of Grace and Mount Edlestone Shiraz fetch high prices, i think this wine is the jewel in the Henschke crown; The depth of fruit and complexity is incredible and it is affordable!A wine for big steaks, roast beef and classy barbecues!
Pesquera Tinto Reserva 2020, Ribero del Duero, Spain
Now, one of Spain's most iconic wineries, famously compared to Petrus by Robert Parker.
Allesandro Fernadez makes powerful and complex wines from his Tempranillo vineyards, with the Reserva aged for 30 months in barrel. This is still young and will become smoother and more complex with time.
The perfect full-bodied wine for roast lamb.
Chateau Larose Perganson
Hilltop Shiraz, Clonakilla
Clonakilla are one of Australia’s most iconic Shiraz producers. Their flagship Shiraz/Viognier is amongst the countries best (available on request), however, this wine gives you a real insight into the genius of winemaker Tim Kirk at a fraction of the price. In fact, for drinking now, this wine is more approachable and rewarding than its big brother. Not as big and jammy as Barossa Shiraz, this has a slightly more Rhône-y edge to it, making it much more food friendly in my book. Still juicy and full of delicious dark, spicy fruit but with balance and restraint.
Chateau Grand Village
This Chateau, situated in the Fronsac region of Bordeaux offers exceptional value for money.
It is owned by the Guinadeau family, who also happen to own Chateau Lafleur just down the road in Pomerol - one of THE great Right-Bank Bordeaux estate!
While Fronsac doesn't have quite the same cachet as Pomerol, and hence, can't command the same prices, the attention to detail and love that goes into this wine, is just the same as at Lafleur.
The soils are different here, more clay and limestone than gravel and the proportion of Cabernet Franc differs but it still gives you a snapshot of great Right-Bank Claret at an every-day price.
A perfect, posh dinner party wine; one that is bound to impress your friends and is a great accompaniment to classic roast meat dishes.
Fleurie ‘Les Moriers’, Domaine Chignard
Domaine Chignard was founded by Michel Chignard and is now run by his son Cédric. Chignard farms 8 hectares of old vines in Fleurie, situated at the top of the hill sloping down to Moulin-à-Vent and on pure granitic soils. The wines are elegant but serious and concentrated expressions of the terroir, none more so than the 'Les Moriers' lieu-dit. Cédric is following in his father's footsteps and continuing the traditional Beaujolais way of farming and winemaking with a high proportion of whole bunch and using a mix of cement, old foudre and stainless steel during vinification. Like his father`s wines, Cédric`s Fleuries are intensely aromatic and complex with an energy, finesse and depth rarely found in other wines from Fleurie.The perfect wine to go with a plate of cheese and charcuterie...