Young & Rashleigh distribute interesting wines, mostly to restaurants, and their trade tastings twice a year are a chance to get to know some not so well-known labels. One problem for us is that some of these wines can be very hard to find in retail outlets.
Astrolabe Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2014 – $21 at Dan M’s (still stocking 2013). Astrolabe is a serious maker of Kiwi savvies, and the basic Marlborough SB is a great expression, with tangy gooseberries the dominant flavour. The 2014 is very crisp, dry and clean finishing. Top notch savvy.
Angus the Bull Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 – $18 at Vintage Cellars. Hamish MacGowan has come up with a marketing masterstroke: an obvioussteak wine that needs no introduction. The wine hails from central Victoria, has plenty of flavour and a medium-bodied, soft and easy-going nature. Crowd Pleaser. It also comes in a half bottle, a pretty rare option these days.
Wee Angus Cabernet Merlot 2013. The Bull’s little brother, and a wee bit softer again, but the only retail source I can find is for the 2011 which is $10 a Cellarmasters.
Kym Teusner’s wines are a lot easier to get hold of, and this was a chance to check some of his latest creations. The Empress Riesling 2014 is pretty classic lean and lovely Eden Valley fare but there’s some serious competition for the $20 asking price. The Woodside Sauvignon Blanc 2014 is one of the best I’ve seen from the Adelaide Hills but I’m still to be convinced that these hills can make great savvy. For me, the pick of the first 3 was the Rosé.
Teusner Salsa Rosé 2014 – $17 at McGuires. This is a serious Rosé made from Barossa Grenache, Mataro and Shiraz. Not big on strawberries and cream, this is a savoury wine to have with food. Great stuff.
Kym Teusner’s reds have been a bit disappointing in 2011 and 2012. The former was a tough vintage with far too much rain, while 2012 had lots of sunshine but made lots of fruit bombs and some of Kym’s reds were leaning that way. The 2013s seem to back on track if the Avatar is a guide.
Teusner Avatar Grenache Shiraz Mataro 2013 – $25 at Winestar. Fragrant fruit and layers of flavour in an almost medium-bodied framework. Subtle nuances and finesse are back, together with balance and length. Great value at this price.
A bit of a leap to Central Otago, but the Chard Farm wines are an impressive lot, but the Pinots tend to be out of our range except for the Rabbit Ranch. They’re also hard to find, here’s one source: Purple Palate.
The RR 2013 Pinot is also hard to find. Options are Rabbit Ranch Central Otago Pinot Noir 2012 – $23 at Wineboxwarehouse or $24 at Dan M’s (website says 2012 but stores may have the 2013). These are terrific Pinots in my view, classic Otago substance with plenty of polish.
There’s also a Rabbit Ranch giftpack – $45 at Jim’s Cellars, which includes a bottle pinot Noir and Pinot Gris, not sure which vintage. You can buy the Pinot Gris for $21 at the Purple Palate, again not sure of the vintage.
The 2014 Chard Farm Pinot Gris is one of the best PGs we’ve had lately, restrained, understated and polished. The only retail option we found here is the 2012 Chard Farm Pinot Gris at Wineboxwarehouse for $23.
Paxton’s Wines are a bit easier to find. This is a first class McLaren Vale winery that has become certified for organic production. One way to get to know these wines is to grab a mixed dozen from the winery for $199.
We’ve been impressed with the Paxton Shiraz Grenache 2013 – $17 at Dan M’s. You can buy the easy drinking Guesser Cabernet Shiraz 2011 for $13.50 at Winestreet, and the impressive Pinot Gris 2014 for $17 at Camperdown Cellars.
Paxton also makes some interesting reds from exotic varieties. You can try the Tempranillo 2013 at Winestreet for $21.
Helen’s Hill is a small Yarra Valley Winery that rates 5 red stars in Halliday’s Wine Companion. Winemaker Scott McCarthy knows what he wants his wines to be, and this is a great example:
Helens Hill Evolution Fume Blanc 2011 – $25 at Different Drop. The wine was wild yeast fermented and spent 18 months in French oak. It’s four years old and still tight and restrained, and will keep improving for years. Real Fumé style, real class.
Helen’s Hill Ingram Road Chardonnay 2014 – $19 at Winestreet. This is the winery’s commercial label, and this Chardy is a smooth customer with perfect manners and perfect balance. A polished act, and good value.
Finally, the wines of Peter Yealands who makes one of our favourite savvies. The 2014 Land Made savvy is in the same class as the bargain 2013 – $14 at Kemenys. The new Peter Yealand label that is appearing in Dan M stores is a Dan M special, I’m told, and it’s not the same wine (more typical cheap Kiwi savvy but well done). The lovely Rieslings in the picture are impossible to find at retail.
Altogether a great tasting, with some really interesting wines.
Kim