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WE ARE BACK FOR 2012: BETTER THAN EVER WITH A FANTASTIC OFFER
ON 2007 MONREDON COTES DU RHONE Boccaccio e-newsletter 1st February Hi everyone, Well welcome back!! I hope everyone had a nice
and relaxing January with some time off to enjoy with family and friends. We
relaxed at home and it was a fantastic opportunity to spend time with my wife
and children. I have come back refreshed and ready for another great year
with many great wines to be reviewed and more importantly, consumed. If I could take a sneak forward to where I think
the best reds are going to come from this coming year, my eyes would be
firmly fixed on the Great Western in Victoria. Think Bests, The Story, Seppelt
and Mt Langhi just to name a few. For me this region has returned to the
glory days of the past with some amazing regional reds being produced. We
will be doing our best to make scour the region for the best releases and
bringing them to Boccaccio. If you are a Pinot Noir freak, we will have more 2010 releases from the
Yarra Valley. There are truly amazing wines that will give immediate
enjoyment now but will cellar for the medium to long term. This is the best
Yarra vintage in the last five years and again we will be ‘front and centre’
for these wines. 2011 also produced some good Pinot Noir from around
Australia and we will be careful to pick out the best. For South Australia, we will again tread
carefully. I think we need to be careful with the 2008 and 2009 vintages out
of Barossa and McLaren Vale. I know there will be some fantastic wines
produced from these vintages, my job will be to pick the best and offer them
at the best prices in town. On the other hand, 2010 is an amazing year for
South Australia and we will be taking a big aim at these wines. Patience is a
virtue: especially after 35 years…
After thirty
years of trying, we have finally purchased the last freehold property in the
groups of shopfronts which our family retail wine and food business Boccaccio
Cellars sits. This now unifies all our buildings which is fantastic.
All up we will have 100 metres of street fronts which we will now redevelop
and aim to build a benchmark Oz but Italian inspired Supermarket. Our planning for
the redevelopment of Boccaccio is now well and truly underway. It will mean
an even bigger selection of wines from Australia, Italy and Spain as well as those
from France, Germany and the rest o the world. Our cellar will double and we
will be able to increase the amount of wine we have cellared for long term
releases. This will not only benefit those who live in Melbourne but also
Australia wide. Think more range, bigger choices and if it is possible, even
better prices. Already Boccaccio Cellars is considered one of the benchmark
wine merchants in Australia and after the redevelopment, we hope that this
will keep us at the forefront of wine retailing for the foreseeable future.
We plan to start works at the end of 2013 and it should take roughly twelve
months to finish. There are also a
number of other fantastic wines listed in our e-newsletter below, so take
your time and enjoy this week’s e-newsletter. Cheers Anthony D'Anna Boccaccio Cellars Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/anthonydanna THIS WEEKS FEATURE RELEASE: MONREDON
COTES DU RHONE ROUGE 2007 GREAT DRINKING FROM A FANTASTIC YEAR WAS $22+, NOW $17.99 A BOTTLE MonRedon 2007 Cotes du Rhone
($24-27) has just arrived in the better wine shops and is even better than
its '06, which totally rocked for its price. It's essentially an undercover
Chateauneuf-du-Pape wine, with bright red berry fruit and lots of
personality, with a little anise and herb complexity to boot. Bloody brilliant. - Tony Love, The
Courier Mail, July 13, 2010. Powerful, yet light on its
feet, a go-to luncheon wine with a beautiful red cored fruity, spice, peppery
character. Score: 90-92 Points. Ben Edwards. A bit of a legend with those
in the know, with bright red berry fruit, lots of personality with a little
anise and herb complexity to boot. Bloody brilliant. France, $24-$27; Tony
Love, National Wine Writer, taste.com.au Chateau Mont Redon will be
familiar to those who know and appreciate Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Owning more
than 160 hectares of land in the appellation, Mont-Redon is the largest
family-owned producer of Chateauneuf-du-Pape. The estate has completely
renewed production facilities over the past 5 years and the quality of wine
has increased tremendously during that time. Grapes are also purchased for
this very successful Monredon Cotes du Rhone. The vineyards are located in
three soil types - sand, limestone and large river bed stones over clay. There has been considerable
investment at Mont Redon over the past five years. The entire winery is now
climate controlled. Rows of oak barriques of various ages have replaced the
old large foudres of yesteryear, and large gleaming temperature controlled
stainless steel vats now line the walls. Grenache predominant with Mourvedre
& Syrah. Lovely berry aromatics, with a hint of wild flowers. The palate
is intense with a supple round texture. Great balance with a long retention
of berry flavours. Fine tannins in balance MONREDON COTES DU RHONE ROUGE 2007 (C) IS AVAILABLE WHILST STOCKS LAST
FOR $17.99 A BOTTLE. Bests Great Western Riesling 2011 “Light straw-green; fragrant, floral/blossom aromas are followed by an
exceptionally intense palate, with wonderful drive to its lime, lemon and
apple fruit; has revelled in the cool conditions.” 97 Points James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion Newsletter,
December 2011 Best’s Great Western Riesling - History A real insider’s wine, Great Western produces flavoursome, elegantly
structured, spectacularly age-worthy Rieslings which stand confidently
alongside their more famous South Australian cousins. The Great Western
region lends itself well to producing exceptional Riesling – diurnal weather
patterns work well for the varietal. Some of the original nursery plantings
can be traced back to Germany so there is great history and pedigree in the
root stock of Great Western Riesling. Grown on the sandy loams of the Concongella Creek and the Rhymney
Vineyard sites, and occasionally from selected local vineyards, the Great
Western Riesling shows the power and finesse which speak of this region. The
wine is made to show good flavour characteristics, letting the pristine fruit
speak for itself. It is cold fermented in stainless steel tanks and made to
drink now, although it will definitely age for some time to come. Best’s
Great Western Rieslings from the 1970’s are drinking superbly now. BESTS GREAT
WESTERN RIESLING 2011 (S) IS AVAILABLE WHILST STOCKS LAST FOR $21.99 A
BOTTLE. A FINE VASSE MARGARET RIVER CABERNET Vasse Felix Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 I went to a vertical of Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon (among other
wines) this week and so I’ve been going over the notes we’ve made on the
wines over the years and adding some updated thoughts. The one wine that
stands out from the past is the 2005, which seems much different to the way
it presented as a young wine – unless it’s just in a stage. This 2009 version
though – not released until November – is one to jump on. It’s a crackerjack. It’s a blend of cabernet sauvignon (88%), malbec (11%) and merlot.
It’s the first ‘standard’ Vasse Felix cabernet to be entirely matured in
French oak – there’s usually some American. The run continues. The 2007, 2008 and now 2009 Vasse cabernets are all
super. Love how medium-weight this is, and yet how well structured it is.
Mulberry, blackcurrant, sweet cedary oak – and some green herb characters as
a highlight. Tarragon maybe. Effortless wine for now or later. Carries its
alcohol with ease. A gorgeous option for the cellar. Indeed, spunky. Drink :
2016 - 2023 94 points Campbell
Mattinson, The Wine Front Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon was the first red wine released from
Margaret River (1972 Vintage). Intense, yet elegantly structured, it remains
the oldest serving wine in the region. Careful fruit selection and 18 months maturation in French oak
barriques gives balance and complexity to a wine with unique character and
style. Drinks beautifully upon release, will reward cellaring over 8 to 10
years. Current Vintage: 2009 Intense, yet elegantly structured, Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon is
the oldest serving wine of the region. It comes from our best vineyards in
the northern part of Margaret River, centred in the Wilyabrup sub-region.
Cabernet is a robust variety, ideally suited to Margaret River’s climate and
deep, well-drained soils. With it’s unique aromatic structure, Cabernet
Sauvignon is to us, the most noble of red grape varieties. WINEMAKER COMMENTS Our most characteristic Cabernet parcels come from the northern end of
Margaret River, grown mostly on gravel loam soil within 8km of the coast. Individual
vineyard sections were fermented in parcels with many left on skins for up to
30 days. The tannin influence is also controlled through traditional
oxidative handling, creating a deeply coloured wine with great structure and
length. The Cabernet backbone of blackcurrant and herbal nuances with long,
dry sinewy tannins is lifted to glorious heights by the Malbec’s colour,
tannin, acid and flavour. VASSE FELIX MARGARET RIVER CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2009 (S) IS AVAILABLE
WHILST STOCKS LAST FOR $29.99 A BOTTLE. YOUR LAST CHANCE TO BUY YALUMBA SIGNATURE 2006 BEFORE IT SOARS CLOSER TO $50 A BOTTLE. Yalumba The Signature Barossa
Cabernet Shiraz 2006 96 points - "An absolutely classic
vintage for this classic Yalumba cabernet (70%) and shiraz (30%) blend,
showing all the tight-coiled power that has come to typify 2006 South
Australian reds: dried plums and leaves on the nose, some tar and
blackcurrant fruit, oak is to the back, root vegetables and cocoa powder here
too. The palate is plush, silken and poised, rolling out carpet-like fine
tannins and showing impressive concentration. Dark-berry fruits build with a
hint of toasty oak through the finish - great length and balance here." Nick Stock, Good Wine Guide 2012 96 points - "While the FDR1A is
all about power, The Signature provides a journey based on grace, elegance
and purity; fresh vibrant and completely unevolved, the essency fruit is pure
and poised, and the tannins are silky and fine; the vibrancy of the fruit
core is electric, as is the persistence of the finish." Ben Edwards, James Halliday's Australian Wine Companion 2012 "A cracking vintage to celebrate the 50th anniversary of
Yalumba's quintessential blend of cbaernet sauvignon and shiraz, which each
year carries the signature of an outstanding employee. Matured for 22 months
in American, French and Hungarian oak, it's silky and sophisticated with
layer on layer of black fruit, spice and chocolate characters, wonderful balance
and velvet smooth tannins. Drink with a herb-crusted leg of lamb." Kerry Skinner, Illawarra Mercury (Aus),
17 August 2011 92 points - "Deep ruby. Pungent
bouquet evokes cherry compote, cassis, pipe tobacco and rose, with notes of
vanilla and mocha gaining strength with air. Deeply pitched dark fruit
flavors show impressive vivacity and pick up oak spice and herb character on
the back half. Dusty tannins add shape to the long, spicy, appealingly sweet
finish. Drinks easily now but this has the depth and balance to reward
patience." International Wine
Cellar (USA), August 2011 5 stars - "Bright, intense array
of aromas - black olives, plums and spices. The tannic palate is long and
dense and brimming over with briary fruit. Great weight and very fresh for its
age." Panel of Judges, Winestate
(Aus), March/April 2011 96 points - "Of the 50 year
history of Signature in a monumental vertical recently, 2006 was my wine of
the day. Low alcohol coaxes out elegant perfume, glittering spice and
textural pepper. Mega potential. Pity about the tree bark. Drink
2021-2031." Tyson Stelzer, Wine
Taste (Aus), 8 April 2011 90 points - "This wine has the
dusty bitumen road scent of a classic, old-fashioned Barossa shiraz. Cabernet
lends a bright red fruit character, like persimmon, finishing with tangy
acidity. It offers the comfort of a well-balanced blend, along with the
potential to age." Joshua Greene,
Wine & Spirits (USA), February 2011 91 points - "The 2006 The
Signature Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz is composed of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon and
31% Shiraz. Deep garnet-purple in color, it offers intense notes of
blackberry preserves, warm cherries, black currant cordial plus an earthy /
gamey undercurrent and nuances of marmite toast. The tight-knit medium to
full-bodied palate is firmly structured with a high level of grainy tannins,
high acid and just enough savory flesh giving a long finish. Approachable
now, it should be best 2012 to 2018."
The Wine Advocate (USA), December 2010 96 points - "Matured for 22
months in American, French and Hungarian barrels. Provides a journey based on
grace, elegance and purity; fresh, vibrant and largely unevolved, the potent
black-berried fruit is pure and poised, and the tannins are silky and fine;
the vibrancy of the fruit core is electric. Drink: 2015 to 2030 with rare
roast beef." James Halliday, The Weekend Australian, 13-14 November 2010 96 points - "A recent vertical
spanning the almost 50-year history of this wine demonstrated its longevity
and 2006 as one of the finest vintages in a long time. A beautifully elegant
13.5% alcohol preserves its floral lift, bright berry fruits profile and
sprinkling of black pepper." Tyson
Stelzer, Wine100 (Aus), October 2010 93 points - "A refined,
velvet-like and evenly ripened red whose pristine presence of dark plums,
blackberries, cassis and fresh dark chocolate/vanilla/cedar oak is
underpinned by an appealing mix of clove-like spice and dried herbs. While
it’s undoubtedly well made, finely structured, juicy and smooth, it does lack
a genuine length and emphasis for a higher rating." Jeremy Oliver, The Australian Wine Annual 2011 "Yalumba Signature has a long lineage, and it almost always
rewards those who have become loyal to it. Even better, it tends to drink
well as both a young and mature wine. This release tastes of blackberry and
vanillin, leather and mint. It’s seductively smooth, tannic but not
excessively so, and long through the finish. Not a hair out of place." POINTS: 94 VALUE: four drops DRINK: 2012 - 2019 Campbell Mattinson & Gary Walsh, The Big Red Wine Book 2010/2011,
1 June 2010 Grapes were hand picked and crushed to 8 tonne open top stainless
steel fermenters. The natural or 'wild' yeasts present on the grape skins
were allowed to initiate the sugar fermentation. Cultured winery yeasts were
then added to complete this fermentation. Fermentation and cap/skin
management was controlled by the Yalumba designed cap plunger. The result is
a wine with excellent depth of colour, richness and complexity. The grapes
for ‘The Signature’ are sourced from vineyards within the Eden Valley and
Barossa Valley regions. The vines are all mature with yields generally
between 2 and 5 tonnes per hectare. Soil types vary from red brown earth over
red clay, sandy loam over clay to sandy soils. Lifted redcurrant, warm exotic fruits and dark chocolate combine with
subtle eucalypt flavours. The wine has a generous yet stylish palate, showing
dark plums, cassis, chocolate and long fine tannins giving a wine structured
for ageing. The wine will reward with medium to long term cellaring. Beginning with the 1962 vintage, The Signature wines of Yalumba have
saluted the very best of the vintage. They also have acknowledged the skills
and dedicated service of people who have enhanced the traditions and culture
of Yalumba. The Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz blend is a distinctively Australian
style, and The Signature has set the benchmark for this iconic style, drawing
heavily on Yalumba's great Barossa resource of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz
vineyards. Deep and intense, the wine displays full palate weight with
powerful fruit and soft American oak which was hand-coopered at Yalumba - a
wine made for longevity, very much The Signature style. Yalumba have been blending Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz in ‘The
Signature’ wines since 1962. The idea for ‘The Signature’ Series was born
when, at the annual dinner of the Stock Exchange of Adelaide, the Prime
Minister Sir Robert Menzies stood with a glass of Yalumba red wine in his
hand and said "Gentlemen, this is the finest Australian wine I have ever
tasted." The wine became know as 'The Menzies' and was the inspiration
for ‘The Signature’ series. Since that time, 37 individuals have become
‘signatories’ in recognition of their contribution to the culture and
tradition of Yalumba. An Australian Classic, dating back to 1962, but deriving from Sir
Robert Menzies' declaration at a lunch in Adelaide that the '61 Special
Vintage Galway Claret was 'the finest Australian wine I have ever tasted'. A blend
of 65 per cent Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon and 35 per cent old-vine Barossa
Shiraz; it spends 24 months in American oak prior to bottling but never seems
to be overwhelmed by it. James Halliday As befits the Hill Smith family, headed by the imperious Robert Hill
Smith, this label has an illustrious history dating abck to 1962. James
Halliday YALUMBA THE SIGNATURE BAROSSA VALLEY CABERNET SHIRAZ 2006 (C) IS
AVAILABLE WHILST STOCKS LAST FOR $39.99 A BOTTLE. AMAZING 2011 MESH EDEN VALLEY RIESLING Mesh Eden Valley Riesling 2011 From three Eden Valley vineyards by Robert Hill Smith and Jeffrey
Grosset is this supermo riesling. I really like watching this wine evolve in
the cellar and have curated a tiny vertical of the wine for dorky good
measure. It was tough though; the early releases were just so damn good to
drink. Very attractive floral aromas meet talc and bath salts in the bouquet
– there is more citrus fruit here too. The juice in the mouth is delicious –
lemon/lime, lemongrass spice, ginger heat and a bit of phenolic bite, but
without being anything more than refreshing. Tangy grapefruit acidity
finishes the wine long, long, long which means this isn’t just great now for
spicy foods and early refreshing drinking but one for the long haul. Slate,
spice and grassy grip make for good bedfellows. Super riesling. Drink : 2011
- 2026+ 93 Points Mike Bennie, The Wine Front Two of Australia's finest independent winemakers, alternate rows in
Eden Valley, a philosophy, and shared passion... When Robert Hill Smith from Australia's oldest family owned winery,
Yalumba, joined forces with Clare winemaker Jeffrey Grosset, cited as 'the
modern Australian guru' to creat a new Eden Valley Riesling, it was clear that
this would be no ordinary wine. But...'could this be Australia's best
Riesling?' Divine Magazine the general consensus was that mesh represented a new benchmark for
Australian versions of the variety. The wine already has enhanced the image
of Australia Riesling and looks like doing the same for the Eden Valley
Region. Martin Gillion, Wine NZ, February/March2004 The two parties agreed on the name, mesh for all the images the word
evoked. "This single word represents so much of the philosophy behind
the wine - the weaving together of ideas and the combining of skills and
knowledge" said Robert Hill Smith. Three Eden Valley vineyard blocks were carefully selected for this
project, chosen for their potential to deliver consistent fruit most in
keeping with the unique characters of Eden Valley and the jointly agreed wine
style/philosophy. All three are within a few kilometres of each other and are
located at a similar altitude of 420 - 430 metres - quite unique for Eden
Valley; famous for its multitude of steep hills and deep valleys. MESH EDEN VALLEY RIESLING 2011 (S) IS AVAILABLE WHILST STOCKS LAST FOR
$24.99 A BOTTLE. GREAT DRINKING YARRA CHARD @ $20 Toolangi Vineyards Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2009 Medium yellow colour. Developed and fairly mature bouquet of creamy
hazelnut, nougat and some funky aspects. Quite complex and mellowing. Rich
and soft in mouth, tight tangy acidity in a full and richly flavoured
setting. Nice wine and quite layered. HUON HOOKE, www.huonhooke.com, 17 November 2011 The entry tier for Toolangi is a ripe stone-fruit and quite opulent
style, delivering the full fruit salad on the nose. The palate's quite juicy
and bright, then crisp melon and peach flavours give way to a gently smoky
finish; cashew and hazelnut to close. NICK STOCK, THE AGE GOOD WINE GUIDE
2012 Garry and Julie Hounsell own the Toolangi vineyard but also source
grapes from other Yarra sites controlled by their own viticulturist. They
outsource the winemaking, in this instance to Willy Lunn at nearby Yering
Station. It’s a fine, restrained, delicious example of modern cool-climate
chardonnay – with the focus on white-peach-like varietal flavour subtly
adorned with the structural and flavour inputs of barrel fermentation and
maturation. CHRIS SHANAHAN, CANBERRA TIMES & www.chrisshanahan.com,
23 November 2011 Vivid green hue; the bouquet shows ripe nectarine, straw, fresh fig
and grilled cashew; the palate is generous and rich on entry, yet remains
light on its feet, with tangy acidity drawing the parts together on the
savoury finish. Rating 92. To 2015. JAMES HALLIDAY, AUSTRALIAN WINE COMPANION
2012 Edition WINEMAKING FRUIT: Selectively hand-picked, low cropped (2.5 to 3 tonnes per
acre), Yarra Valley fruit. WINEMAKING: Aged in French oak barriques for 11 months. Blended at
Yering Station. MADE AT: Yering
Station and Shadowfax QUANTITY: 3,500 Dozen ALCOHOL: 13% CLOSURE: Screwcap TOOLANGI VINEYARDS
YARRA VALLEY CHARDONNAY 2009 (S) IS AVAILABLE WHILST STOCKS LAST FOR $19.99 A
BOTTLE. HIGHLIGHTS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS: SIMPLY
THE BEST VALUE NON VINTAGE
CHAMPAGNE IN OZ: SERGE MATHIEU BRUT TRADITION BLANC DE NOIR NON
VINTAGE CHAMPAGNE Included in the book ‘1001 Wines you must try before you die’ by Neil Beckett Serge Mathieu
Brut Tradition Blanc de Noir Non Vintage It’s an RM or
récoltant-manipulant Champagne which more or less means harvester-handler,
which means it’s a Champagne from a specific plot of land, rather than
a great big blend from all over the place. Rich and spicy with honey
biscuits, a mild earthiness and a mix of berries and citrus. It’s full
flavoured but light on its feet with a fine texture and gentle bubbliness –
no harshness or foaming surf-like qualities – it glides. Long aftertaste.
Terrific wine. Drink : 2011 - 2014 93 Points Gary Walsh, The Winefront A pure Pinot Noir cuvee from
the richer limestone soils of Southern Champagne that provides excellent
value. Serge Mathieu top-drawer domain at Avirey Lingey is managed by his
daughter Isabelle and her husband Michel Jacob - a fine, non-interventionist
winemaker, a scrupulous, eco-friendly guardian of the 27 acre estate, and a
pragmatist who stops just short of believing in the faith of biodynamism. The
vineyard is mainly planted with Pinot Noir, with some excellent Chardonnay.
There is no wood in the cellar, so the purity of the grape and the character
of the terrior emerge unoaked. The Blanc de Noirs is a
striking burnished gold, almost bronze, in colour; the aromas of ripe
cherrylike Pinot melding with meat, spices, and leather lead on to a grand
palate-filing mouthfeel uncannily like a mini Bollinger (Grande Annee, not
Special Cuvee!). Yet the most lasting impression is of finesse, balance and
the lightest of touches in the winemaking . Drink upon release 5+ years. 1001
Wines you must try before you Die, Neil Beckett [Wine of the month] Aged for
four years, that time on its lees has imbued this fizz with beautiful, autolytic
complexity. There’s a hint of dried red berries on the nose, lying alongside
perky citrus fruits and cream aromas. The palate is vibrant, full of flavor
and wonderfully balanced (17.5/20)’— Decanter Magazine ‘[One of the top three]
epitome of grower Champagnes…..Billecart-Salmon of grower Champagnes...11ha
of picture-perfect vines and a superbly equipped winery. Malolactic is
carried out with great delicacy endowing these superbly elegant Champagnes
with a creamy richness...just so yummy...light and elegant with a silky
pin-cushion mousse. 5 Stars’ — Tom Stevenson, Decanter Magazine, May 2007 Serge Mathieu since the
1970's have been producing a single grower champagne under its own name, no
grapes are from other Champagne growers. Serge Mathieu has now
retired, and his son-in-law Michel Jacob runs the Champagne house. Tom
Stephenson wrote about this Champagne in May 2007 in the Decanter Magazine
and gave it 5 stars out of 5. In a blind tasting this Champagne has all the
hallmarks of a Grand Cru. The Champagne is straw in colour, has a nose of
honey with slight tropical fruit overtones. The palate is exceptionally well
balanced with biscuity, cream notes and the finish lasts for over 30 seconds.
This Champagne is not only better than most named brands but is also
exceptional good value. SERGE MATHEIU BLANC DE NOIR NON VINTAGE CHAMPAGNE (C) IS AVAILABLE FOR
A SPECIAL PRICE OF $39.99 A BOTTLE. LOUIS ROEDERER NON VINTAGE CHAMPAGNE AT SUB $60 A
BOTTLE..... Lively, yeasty nose. Still
youthful but very dense and well-mbalanced. Bone dry, unusually so. Still
astringent but impressively long. 17.5, Jancis Robinson The exceptional quality of
the Roederer wines is due in no small measure to the disproportionately large
estate vineyards of 190 hectares. James Hallliday Brut Premier is a blend of
56% Pinot Noir, 34% Chardonnay, 10% Pinot Meunier. Roederer mature Brut
Premier in bottle for at least four years (well in excess of the legal requirement).
This combined with the addition of the Reserve wines gives Brut Premier its
distinctive style. Brut Premier is perfectly balanced with a rich, fruity
bouquet. LOUIS ROEDERER NON VINTAGE CHAMAPAGNE (C) IS AVAILABLE WHILST STOCKS
LAST FOR $59.99 A BOTTLE. AS ITALIAN AS FERRARI: AND THIS IS THE FERRARI OF
ITALIAN FIZZ Ca' del Bosco Brut Cuvee Prestige Looking for an alternative to
Champagne or Australian sparkling during the spring racing carnival? Try
franciacorta, Italy's version of champagne. Ca' Del Bosco is one of Italy's
finest producers. Cuvee Prestige is its excellent non vintage made from Pinot
Bianco, Chardonnay and pinot nero, aka pinot noir, and its classy: plenty of
fine, persisten bead, ultra fresh with citrus note to the fore, especially
lemon zest and grapefruit, some lemon blossom, too, zingy with a backbone of
lively acidity but not all harsh. It's great as an aperatif or with canapes.
And at this price, it's worth stocking up on a few bottles. Christmas is
around the corner. Normally costs $55, available for $40 at Boccaccio
Cellars. Jane Faulkner, The Epicure Bargain Bin, Tuesday 25th October 2011 Most weekends in my family, we drink a bottle of
Champagne. It signals the end of the week and a time to sit down together and
relax and let’s be honest, what better way to relax than a glass of Champagne
in your hand? Well, when we don’t drink Champagne, we drink Ca’ Del Bosco.
This amazing sparkling is as good as Champagne and shares many of the same
characteristics: most people would not be able to pick the difference.
However, it is probably a touch more refreshing and is the perfect aperitif
on those hot summer days. With Christmas approaching, step out of your
comfort spot and try Ca’ Del Bosco to enjoy with family and friends, you will
be the star of the party!! Anthony D’Anna Each year at VinItaly, that country's most
important wine show, it is the franciacorta I always check out first to keep
up-to-date with vintages and producers. It usually leaves me depressed
because most of the wonderful wines I taste are not available in Australia.
However, I've long been a devotee of Bellavista, with its beautiful bottle
reminiscent of Krug, and several styles are available here albeit some rarer
than others, such as the gran cuvee brut rose or the rich chardonnay
sparkling known as Saten. Bellavista is a very fine producer of elegant
sparkling wine, and the non-vintage cuvee brut retails for about $65. Another
producer I swoon over is Ca' del Bosco, particularly its top cuvee, Annamaria
Clementi, and I'd go so far as to say the finest brut made in Franciacorta.
It's a breathtaking wine. Ca' del Bosco has been very much a
"when-in-Italy" indulgence, but not any more. It is now being
imported into Australia. This one hails from Franciacorta, where Italy's
finest sparkling wines are made, from one of the best producers, Ca' del
Bosco. Chardonnay is dominant at 80 per cent, delivering fresh apple notes,
and yeasty, nutty nuances met with lively bead and superb length. Perfectly
balanced, it finishes dry - it is a brut after all - but with plenty of
ripeness and richness on the palate. Lovely. Smart bubbles Jane Faulkner, The
Age CA’ DEL BOSCO BRUT CUVEE PRESTIGE (C)
IS AVAILABLE WHILST STOCKS LAST FOR $39.99 A BOTTLE. Voyager Margaret
River Chardonnay 2008 Le grand garçon est dans la
cuisine. This was my one of my favourite wines from a field of 33 Chardonnays
tasted single blind. Picked it as Voyager Estate (or thought I did at the
time). Notes are brief, but the quality is assured. A slight whiff of tinned
corn and pineapple but primarily tasting of nectarine, grapefruit and spice.
Good oak treatment, juicy and flavoursome with a slight buttered nuts
character, yet also tight, racy and citrine as per the modern Voyager style –
the best of both worlds (although leaning towards the former in this
example). Smooth and long. Another winner but may not be as long lived as
some vintages – it’s ready now. Drink : 2011 - 2014+ 94 points Gary Walsh,
The Wine Front A big, rich and ripe style
with the ripe peach fruit moving toward straw, and the oak playing a primary
role; surprisingly forward given recent vintages, the palate shows a little
more restraint with the acidity pulling the abundant fruit into line; a
charry offering to conclude. Drink to 2016 93 points James Halliday VOYAGER MARGARET RIVER CHARDONNAY 2008 (S) IS AVAILABLE WHILST STOCKS
LAST FOR $29.99 A BOTTLE. Gold: 2011 Macquarie Group Sydney Royal
Wine Show Gold: 2011 Royal Adelaide WIne Show This is a fantastic wine and one could argue
that, at the moment, Best’s Great Western are producing some of Australia’s
best wines. The Bin 0 has been on song for a number of years and the 2009 is
a belter. With none of the $150 Best’s Thompson Family Shiraz being produced
in 2009, the Bin 0 was the recipient of all that amazing fruit and it shows
in this wine. Deep and rich but with Great Western class and elegance, it is
a benchmark wine from the region and vintage. Drink 2016-2030 95 points Anthony
D’Anna Best’s Great Western Shiraz Bin N o O has
recently received the accolade of being voted in Australia’s top 101 wines by
Langton’s Classification. Best’s Bin O Shiraz is sourced from four low
yielding Concongella Shiraz blocks established in 1966, 1970, 1992 and 1994.
Vinification takes place in open stainless steel fermenters. The wine is
matured in a combination of 1/3 new and one and two year old French and
American oak (barriques and puncheons) for around 12 months. In a
declassified year some Thomson Reserve fruit (from some of the oldest Shiraz
plantings in Victoria) can be included. Viv Thomson – 4th generation
winemaker – believes that there are two types of wines, "talking wines
and drinking wines". This is a happy blend of both. It has intense
mulberry blackberry aromas, background oak and loose-knit gravelly tannins
developing further complexity with medium term cellaring. Langtons Best's winery and vineyards are among Australia's
best-kept secrets. Indeed the vineyards, with vines dating back to 1867, have
secrets which may never be revealed: for example, certain vines planted in
the Nursery Block have defied identification and are thought to exist nowhere
else in the world. The cellars, too, go back to the same era, constructed by
butcher-turned-winemaker Henry Best and his family. Since 1920, the Thomson
family has owned the property, with father Viv and sons Ben, Bart and Marcus
representing the fourth and fifth generations, consistently producing
elegant, supple wines which deserve far greater recognition than they
receive. The Bin 0 Shiraz is a classic, the Thomson Family Shiraz
magnificent. Exports to the UK and other major markets. 5 star winery
James Halliday Viv Thomson of Best’s was persuaded to clear a
little cellar space by putting some of his mature vintages on the market.
Best’s Great Western Bin No. 0 shiraz 1981 is, amazingly, not yet mature but
is absolutely delicious with its skein of excitingly rich fruit, and the 1983
with its thick, exotic licorice character is a marvel too. Cachet Wines of
Hull are currently selling them to the trade and expect to see them in the
likes of Harvey Nichols, Handford and Robersons wine stores in London in
December. Best’s Great Western Chardonnay 1991 was another wonder, subtle and
savoury, with much more life in it than most 1991 white Burgundies. I am
thinking of buying it for my daughter born in that year who is, like others
of her vintage, rather short of drinkable souvenirs of 1991 from Europe. Jancis
Robinson BESTS BIN 0 SHIRAZ 2009 (S) IS
AVAILABLE WHILST STOCKS LAST FOR $59.99 A BOTTLE. A CRACKING RIESLING AND UNDER $15 A BOTTLE, THIS IS ONE OF THE
WORLD’S GREAT BARGAINS Pewsey
Vale Eden Valley Riesling 2011 The 2010 Pewsey Vale Eden
Valley Riesling was our ‘Wine of the Year’
last year and this is more than a worthy follow up. One could argue that it
is the equal and maybe in the long term it will be a better wine than the
2010 vintage. This is the reason why Pewsey Vale is one of the great bargains
of the world. World class quality and $15 a bottle. Amazing and almost
laughable price. This is a wine that I would buy one or two dozen of: drink
half this summer and stick the other half in the cellar for 10 to 20 years.
2011 was a cool long ripening vintage in the Eden Valley which for Riesling
is as good as it gets for top class wines. The nose on the wine is
subdued with classic lime juice and fresh green apples. The palate is intense
and pure with lingering acidity matched perfectly to the palate. This wine is
still a pup, but it is in the same mould as the classic 2002 vintage
rieslings and will no doubt cellar for ten to twenty years. 95+ points
Anthony D’Anna The 2011 vintage will long
be remembered for its cool temperatures throughout the ripening and growing
months. This has resulted in delicate and flavourful white wines from the
Eden Valley with a generous and balanced natural acidity. Riesling from
Pewsey Vale Vineyard loved the season and the resulting wines are classic
examples. The 2011 Pewsey Vale
Vineyard Riesling is a classic example of dry Eden Valley Riesling. A pale
straw with green hues, the wine shows intense fruit aromas of talcum, crushed
stone and lemon lime fruit, with a hint of overlaying dried herb. The palate
shows great length and depth with lime, a hint of white flowers and fresh
rosemary. The wine finishes with a fresh natural acidity that balances the
flavour intensity and a minerality that will reward medium to long-term
cellaring. The Advantages of Altitude
With an altitude varying between 485 metres and 500 metres, Pewsey Vale sits
250 metres above the Barossa Valley floor. The cooler temperatures found at
this height encourage a longer ripening period which extends well into
autumn. This longer ripening period is essential for producing superior
quality grapes with exceptional flavour and character - hallmarks of Pewsey
Vale wines. Block to block variation enables winemakers to select from
separate parcels of fruit to tailor wines to the Pewsey Vale style, ensuring
consistency from vintage to vintage Pewsey Vale was a famous
vineyard established in 1847 by Joseph Gilbert, and it was appropriate that
when S Smith & Son (Yalumba) began the renaissance of the high Adelaide
Hills plantings in 1961, they should do so by purchasing Pewsey Vale and
establishing 59 hectares of riesling and cabernet sauvignon. James
Halliday Pewsey Vale Rieslings cellar
beautifully, but they drink well young, too. Epicure Uncorked PEWSEY VALE EDEN VALLEY RIESLING 2011 (S) IS AVAILABLE WHILST STOCKS
LAST FOR A SPECIAL PRICE OF $14.99 A BOTTLE. Mount Pleasant Museum Release
Hunter Valley Semillon 2005 Trophy for Best Australian White Wine at the International Wine
Challenge in London Across the globe, the 2005
McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Cellar Release Elizabeth Semillon took home the
Trophy for Best Australian White Wine at the International Wine Challenge
after picking up a gold medal at the show earlier this year. The wine will be
the first vintage released as the new McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Cellar
Release Elizabeth and will be available in the Australian and UK markets in October
this year. Well the 2010 current
release may not be much chop, but for a few dollars more, this is a beauty.
We’ve been waiting for this one to surface for a long time. Almost became the
‘mythical’ release. I tasted it back in April 2006 in a big blind line-up
(wine show style *shudder*) and its quality was clear even back then. Same
score. The Hunter Semillon paradox
is on show in all its glory here – that a light young wine of around 11%
alcohol could be so rich and mouth-filling with a little bottle age is a
thing of great wonder. There’s plenty of ripe Schweppes lime, citrus zest and
toast here along with a full mid-palate and balanced, but soft, clean
acidity. Length and satisfaction is assured, and should continue to be
because of the screwcap closure. The finish is fractionally bitter and pithy,
but not unattractive, and the length and aftertaste are both excellent. It’s
right in the groove right now. A delight. And all things considered still
represents terrific value. Drink : 2011 - 2015 94 points Gary Walsh, The
Wine Front This is a lovely aged Hunter
Valley Semillon that whilst offers immediate drinking now, will also benefit
from extended time in the cellar. Hints of caramel and honey on the nose which
also carry through on the palate. Also on the palate there is vibrant
acidity, citrus and lime. Lovely wine. 94 points Anthony D’Anna The 2005 Mount Pleasant
Cellar Aged Elizabeth Semillon has well pronounced aromas of toasted nuts,
crostini, yeast extract, barley, lemongrass, cumin seed and dried lemon peel.
Dry, light-bodied and crisp, it has some minerality coming through in the
concentrated citrus and toast flavors, finishing long. Great price for a
complex wine that with some age will just go on and on! Consider drinking
this 2012 to 2022+. 92+ points Lisa Perrotti-Brown eRobertParker.com # 194
May 2011 Mount Pleasant’s decision to
continue to bottle-age commercial quantities of Mount Pleasant Elizabeth
Semillon until its considered at the peak of its development is repeatedly
vindicated by the wine’s incredible show success and perfect development. Mount Pleasant is situated
on the slopes of the Brokenback Range in the Hunter Valley, NSW. The estate
was established in 1921 by the legendary winemaker Maurice O’Shea who
recognised the special characteristics and longevity of Hunter Valley table
wines. To this day, Mount Pleasant continues to bottle-age commercial
quantities of wines until they are considered at their peak to
release. Every year, a limited
quantity of Mount Pleasant Elizabeth is reserved for extended cellaring under
perfect conditions. As these wines reach optimum maturity, they are release
under the ‘Museum Release’ label. At this stage of development, the wine is
typically showing all the classic characteristics of Hunter Semillon with
beautiful honey and toast characters. Often, even at this advanced stage, the
wine continues to be awarded trophies and gold medals at major wine shows. Vineyard Region 100% Hunter Valley Vineyard Conditions The growing season leading up to the 2005
vintage was excellent with overall cool to mild growing conditions and
excellent, even rainfall. Mild weather conditions with good rainfall in
October led to good flowering and even fruit set, setting the potential for a
quality vintage. The white wines are characterised by excellent depth and
length of flavour, ideal pH and acidity at harvest and delightful green
colour. Grape Variety 100% Semillon Vinification and Maturation All grapes for this wine
were handpicked. At the winery they were de-stemmed, crushed, the must
chilled and the juice drained. After 48 hours settling, the clear juice was
racked off and warmed. The ferment was slow and cold to retain the
exceptional fruit flavour of the vintage. Colour Very pale straw, almost translucent Aroma Effusive and intense, the complex aroma carries
all the attributes of Hunter Semillon: lemon, lime, passionfruit, sherbet and
hints of cut straw Palate The palate is fine, delicate and persistent with
fine acidity and a juicy, fleshy mid palate. Quintessential Semillon
attributes of lemon and lime dominate the flavour spectrum while hints of
honeysuckle and lemon curd tantalize the taste buds. The wine is also showing
more mature Semillon characters after five years of bottle age. Analysis ALC/VOL: 11.5% pH: 3.00 ACIDITY: 6.45 G/L
Peak Drinking Cellar for at least five years or to a maximum of 18 years MOUNT PLEASANT MUSEUM RELEASE HUNTER VALLEY SEMILLON 2005 (S) IS
AVAILABLE WHILST STOCKS LAST FOR A SPECIAL PRICE OF $17.99 A BOTTLE. PLEASE NOTE: (S) SCREWCAP,
(C) CORK |
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F A M I L Y O W N E D F I N
E W I N E M E R C H A N T S S I N C E 1 9 6 3 Riesling offers Unlabelled Clare Valley 'The Greatest'
Riesling 2009 is available for $8.00 a bottle. Pewsey Vale Valley Riesling 2011 is
available for $14.99 a bottle Petaluma Hanlin Hill Riesling 2011 is
available for $24.99 a bottle. Chardonnay offers Stonier Chardonnay 2009 is available until stocks
last for $21.99 a bottle. Wickhams Road Gippsland Chardonnay
2010 is available until stocks last for $15.99 a bottle. Hoddles Creek Chardonnay 2010 is
available for $19.99 a bottle.. Semillon offers McWilliams Elizabeth Semillon 2005 is
available for $17.99 a bottle. Peter Lehmann Semillon 2008 is
available for $9.99 a bottle. Tyrrells Vat 1 Hunter Valley Semillon
2005 is available for $39.99 a bottle. Shiraz offers Campbells Bobbie Burns Shiraz 2009 is
available for $18.99 a bottle. White Box Heathcote Shiraz 2009 is
available for $15.99 a bottle. McWilliams Mount Pleasant Phillip
Shiraz 2009 is available for $13.99 a bottle. Cabernet Sauvignon offers Wirra Wirra Church Block Cabernet
Shiraz Merlot 2009 is available for $18.99 a bottle. Balnaves Coonawarra Cabernet
Sauvignon 2008 is available for $29.99 a bottle. Barwang Hilltops Cabernet Sauvignon
2009 is available for $14.99 a bottle. Pinot Noir Curly Flat Macedon Pinot Noir 2008 is
available for $47.99 a bottle. Stoniers Pinot Noir 2009 is available
for $23.99 a bottle Sauvignon Blanc offers Gieson Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
2010 is available for $15.99 a bottle. Lawsons Dry Hills Sauvignon Blanc
2010 is available for $17.99 a bottle. Oyster Bay Marlborough Sauvignon
Blanc 2010 is available until stocks last for $16.99 a bottle. Sparkling offers Chandon Vintage Is available for
$29.99 a bottle. Moet Chandon Non Vintage is available
for $59.99 a bottle. If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter,
please mail us at newsletter@boccaccio.com.au
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