Australia is not the first place I look for quality Riesling at a reasonable price, but this changed my mind. For 1-year-old Riesling it’s already developing petrol notes on the nose to complement the lime, grapefruit and honeyed notes. It has a slight spritz on the palate with a sweet and sour flavour, initially off dry and then dries out on the finish with lively citrus acidity.
From one of the hottest summers on record, a more robust style of Pinot, with intense raspberry, strawberry and cedar notes on top, before a palate of dark red berries and raspberries, with well integrated oak, that opens in the glass to show plush, more spicy layers and well-rounded tannins. Made from five separate blocks, harvested and aged separately for 14 months in French oak.
A floral nose that is joined by summer peach, crushed stone, honeycomb and spiced apple pie. It’s a touch creamy on the palate with notes of fennel and ginger mingling with quince and mature peaches. Really interesting medium-sweet Riesling here. Could cellar for 10 or more years.
Comfortably worn leather, dried raspberry and dried cherry pervade this Barolo from the commune of La Morra. Worn leather, worn cherry, ripe and savoury and finely salted on the mellow palate, showing much more age than its age. Tannins are softly tuggy, and dried rose petals linger on the finish. This is from Cabot Berton’s 8 ha of hillside Nebbiolo on sandy, marl and calcareous clay soils. After maceration on the skins for 16 days in concrete, this spent 18 months in Slovenian oak casks, followed by a tightening 6 months in stainless before bottling.
Alluring up-front orange and floral aromas precede a luscious, perfumed palate with citrus and intense mandarin orange with ginger and spice wrapped in firm acidity, before a lengthy end.
Shows lively persistent mousse with gentle floral and green fruit scents accented by a splash of vanilla. Flavours of green apple dominate in the mouth, with background citrus supported by firm mineral and vibrant acidity. Lightly creamy texture contrasts with drying mineral on the finish.
Brothers Dustin and Brayden Jones operate this cult brewery tucked away in Toronto’s hip Lansdowne neighbourhood. Pouring a mix of Brett-fermented sours with fruit additions and solid IPAs on an ever-changing draught list, it’s a destination worth checking out. Don’t miss this pale ale, bursting with mango and pineapple notes from amarillo and citra hops with a slightly sweet, lightly tart grainy finish.