Tastes just like a claret from Bordeaux. Dense ruby-purple in colour, it offers a cedary, blackcurrant nose with a floral grace note. It’s medium-bodied and dry with the flavours of blackcurrants carried on a lively spine of acidity; finishes on a note of coffee beans.
The Basic has left Claus' portfolio, and this, Puszta Libre, has taken its place. A blend of Zweigelt and St Laurent made in "Burgunland Beaujolais" style — this is Claus' interpretation of passe-toute-grain; a smashable vins de soif of Zweigelt and St Laurent from Gols. Wild ferment and aging in a combo of stainless and old large oak, this was bottled without fining or filtering. A lovely perfumed violet florality throughout this lighter, soft red, with wild blackberry, thorns, black plums and a swing of balsamic. Tannins are minimal, acidity is bracing and the finish salted; chill this and soif away, particularly with charcuterie.
Ever reliable, this great-value wine has evolved into a lighter, pure fruit style offering fresh lemon citrus and tropical fruit freshness with deftly balanced acidity and a light, clean finish. Equally good as an aperitif or paired with lighter seafood and white meat dishes.
Michel Chapoutier is a great Rhône producer who is now making wine in Australia’s Victoria region. It’s a blend of Viognier and Marsanne made without oak. Pale lime in colour, it has a spicy, waxy-oily-floral nose of peach and melon; it’s medium-bodied with a ripe peach flavour that finishes crisply dry.
Toasty rich New-World Chardonnay showing generous citrus, butterscotch and hazelnut on the nose. Citrus and green apple kick in on the palate with good weight and balance. Rich citrus, toasty and nutty notes linger on the finish.
Rarely seen as a sole grape in Australia, Bleasdale has been producing a Langhorne Creek Malbec since 1961. 15% whole berries soaked for 12 days on skins and matured for 1 year in French oak (10% new). Sweeter blackberry, cola, blue florals and plum feel pinched on the reedy palate. Tannins are mild and slightly powdery to a short, hot finish. Perhaps best left a blending grape in Oz; this vintage doesn't convince of Malbec's suitability.
Ripe and round, with those warm cocoa tannins and lifted palate so characteristic of Clare. The de-stemmed fruit was fermented in stainless, with some pressings added back in for heft, before transfer to oak (90% American) for ferment and aging. Wild blackberry, forest berries, cherries, black plum and violets on the fleshy palate before trailing off with a warming vanilla/roasted coffee finish. Easy, balanced, affordable and ready to drink.