Tasting Notes - Brief Chardy Notes from Lunch

Ok, a couple of very brief thoughts on a couple of decent chards................

Tyrells Vat 47 2004 (Recommended)
A brief stray into large producer world. Elegant, very balanced, touches of daggy old worldy chardonnay fruit. Low oak impact. Lacks obvious excitement but is classically built and will go another 3 years with ease.

William Fevre Petit Chablis 2005 (Recommended)
If this is representative of budget chablis then show me where to sign up for the fan club. Tight, youthful style. Flavours mostly in the citrus camp; settled lemon, surprisingly weighty, and plenty of drive right through the palate. Daggy old fruits and wood work really well. Ripe year perhaps.

Tasting Notes - Montalto Pennon Hill Chardonnay 2005

A second label of sorts for well regarded chardonnay marker Montalto. At first glance this wine came across as a real tart - big lifted ripe fruits, some oak, grilled nuts, a sweet kick on the finish. However some appeal was lost over time as the flavour profile got progressively simple (er more simple I mean!) and I sense the wine structure didn't really hold up to the initial rush of heady tastes. Still, nice enough.

Tasting Notes - Sabotage Sauvignon Blanc 2006 (Recommended)

These guys are building a good track record for worked savvy on the Peninsula and I think the 2006 is another good example. Very euro nose with slightly stinky fruits and old daggy wood, and perhaps just the faintest hint of tropical fruits (pineapple). Palate shows heaps of seriousness with dry fruits, minerals, good acidity, more old oaky notes. I may well have picked this as a Sancerre or perhaps a low level petit Chablis. Full marks to local winemakers for trying a style that will have its challenges from a pure retail aspect. Top stuff.

Tasting Notes - Latitude Pinot Gris 2006

Fruit for this wine is sourced from selected sites around New Zealand's South Island. A sunshine yellow colour, the aroma is somewhat closed with a little tropical fruit coming through. The palate is quite mouth filling and viscous to the extent the wine has a cloying feel to it. A sugary, sweet palate of melon and mango fruit with a bitter grapefruit finish and an astringent aftertaste. A touch of sweetness can be pleasing in a pinot gris but too much and the wine becomes sickly and flabby especially with the lack of acidity to balance it out.

Tasting Notes - Latitude Merlot 2004 (Recommended)

There is no jaminess or sweet fruit in this merlot. It is a much more serious, food wine. Port red in colour, stewed summer berry aroma with a hint of licorice. Medium to full bodied with sour cherry and raspberry flavours balanced with savoury chewing tobacco and fine dusty tannins. A quirky Merlot, worth a look at and would compliment a lamb dish perfectly.

Tasting Notes - The Growers Verdelho 2004

This wine just didn't stack up for me, yellow with a lime green hue, a smokey, hay and wood chip aroma led onto a bitter palate, light in body with racy acidity, the new french oak influence masked any fruit and left a slightly unpleasant aftertaste in the mouth. Perhaps this kind of wine just isn't my thing as it has won a number of medals at reputable wine shows but in my view any oak influence in a wine should be integrated and in balance with the fruit character and in this wine the oak was completely overpowering.

Tasting Notes - Paracombe Pinot Gris 2007 (Recommended)

Transparent with a tinge of salmon pink this wine has the best of both wine styles made from this grape; it has the rich palate depth and slight oiliness of a pinot gris but the light, crisp acidity of a pinot grigio. Fresh powder puff aroma with flavours of soft apple and pear with a light cinnamon spice on the finish. Dry, flavoursome and refreshing. Recommended

Tastings Notes - Minot Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2007 (Recommended)

I've never had a bad SSB from these guys over the past 3 years and the 2007 is bang on target. Very appealing nose of forward and ripe grassy fruits with a strong tropical underlay. Not unlike a ripe Kiwi in this respect although less overtly herbal. Seeming not a heap of semillon fruit on the bouquet. Palate continues in this vein; ripe, a touch tangy, a clear citrus streak keeps things tight, and rolls up nicely into a long finish. I can't believe we can 'import' the wine into Vic and still only charge $15.

New Releases - Punch Close Planted Pinot Noir 2005

There were around 100 cases of this wine produced and Cloudwine has managed to snap up a few cases for our customers. Punch is the new winery from James and Clare Lance. They began leasing Lance’s Vineyard and Winery at Yarra Valley, from David and Catherine Lance (of Diamond Valley fame). The resultant fruit will be shared between the new label Punch, and Diamond Valley White Label. As you can see, the results so far have been extraordinary. This wine is available at $80 per bottle and orders will be delivered over the next 2 weeks.

James Halliday, 2008 Wine Companion - 97pts
"Slightly denser colour and more purple than the standard Pinot; flows and fills the mouth with perfect varietal character; has an extra dimension of structure. Screwcap. Rating 97 Drinking to 2017."

New Releases - Mid September

Cabernet Sauvignon & Blends
Serafino Goose Island Cabernet Merlot 2004 $14 (McLaren Vale)
Wilson Vineyard Stonecraft Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 $22 (Clare Valley)

Chardonnay
Cannibal Creek Hardiker 2005 $17 (Gippsland)
Leabrook Estate 2005 $29 (Adelaide Hills)
Woodlands Unwooded 2004 $21 (Margaret River)
Woodlands Chloe 2006 $50 (Margaret River)

Grenache & Blends
Kalleske Old Vine Grenache 2005 $48 (Barossa Valley)

Italian Reds
Crittenden Pinocchio Barbera 2005 $20 (King Valley)
Crittenden Pinocchio Sangiovese 2005 $20 (King Valley)

Sauvignon Blanc
Cannibal Creek 2007 $23 (Gippsland)
Leabrook Estate 2007 $22 (Adelaide Hills)

Shiraz & Blends
Aramis The Governor Shiraz 2004 $53 (McLaren Vale)
Glaetzer Amon Ra Shiraz 2006 $76 (Barossa Valley)
Glaetzer Anaperenna Shiraz Cabernet 2006 $47 (Barossa Valley)
Serafino Goose Island Shiraz 2005 $14 (McLaren Vale)
Tallis Shiraz Viognier 2004 $25 (Central Victoria)
Wedgetail Estate Single Vineyard 2005 $34 (Yarra Valley)
Witchmount Estate 2004 $23 (Sunbury)

Other Whites
Leabrook Estate Gewurtztraminer 2007 $25 (Adelaide Hills)

New Releases - Early September Part 2

Cabernet
Blackjack Cabernet Merlot 2005 $26 (Bendigo)

Chardonnay
Ross Estate 2005 $16 (Barossa Valley)

Dessert & Fortifieds
Keith Tulloch Botrytis Semillon 2005 $27 (Hunter Valley)

Italian Varietals
SC Pannell Nebbiolo 2005 $51 (McLaren Vale)

Pinot Grigio / Gris
Henley Hill Pinot Grigio 2007 $15 (Yarra Valley)

Pinot Noir
Dog Point 2005 $36 (Marlborough)
Rippon Vineyard 2005 $56 (Central Otago)

Riesling
Dr Loosen Urziger Wurtzgarten Auslese 2005 $38.00 (375ml) (Germany)
Ross Estate 2006 $16 (Barossa Valley)

Rose
Dominque Portet 2007 Fontaine $20 (Yarra Valley)

Sauvignon Blanc
Crowded House 2007 $19 (Marlborough)
Dog Point Section 94 2005 $29 (Marlborough)
Edwards Sauvignon Blanc 2007 $21 (Margaret River)
Henley Hill 2006 $15 (Yarra Valley)

Shiraz
Blackjack 2005 $36 (Bendigo)
Cigale 2005 $24 (Barossa Valley)
SC Pannell 2005 $63 (McLaren Vale)
SC Pannell Grenache Shiraz 2005 $51 (McLarern Vale)

Tasting Notes - Centennial Tempranillo 2006

Rich garnet red in colour, a sweet berry nose with a hint of confectionery. A medium to full palate weight with an array of flavours, from sweet, juicy ripe berries through to prune, raisiny notes, a touch of licorice and a savoury finish. This is thought provoking wine. - Recommended depending on retail price.

Tasting Notes - Barratt Sauvignon Blanc 2007

I was looking forward to tasting the 2007 vintage as the 2006 got such a good write up in Halliday's latest. Pale golden yellow, a sweet, tropical fruit and bubblegum aroma, very pronounced. Nice silky texture on the palate with quite intense apple and pineapple flavours. My initial impression was that of a bitter finish but I actually think it finished a bit hot from the 14.5 % alcohol which is just too high for this variety.

Imports - Domaine Henri Germain 2003 Meursault

Unfortunately good white burg don't come cheap but this is a pretty good example of a entry level Meursault, price notwithstanding!!

Importer Notes
"Clive Coates observes that Germain is always happy to let nature take its course. The Germain's are orientated towards natural viticulture and minimal intervention elevage, which explains the purity of the wines and their ability to age gracefully."

Price is $82 per bottle.

Imports - Domaine Georges Vernay 2004 Cote Rotie 'Blonde Du Seigneur'

Probably the best French wine we currently stock.

Vernay is best known as a viognier / Condrieu specialist but they release some very handy reds as well from 3 hectares in Cote Rotie and 1.5 hectares in Saint Joseph.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar - 90pts
"Floral, peppery aromas of raspberry and wild strawberry perked up by a zesty mineral tone. Elegant flavours of sweet red berries, apricot and subtle smoked meat are supported by silky tannins. Finishes racy, sweet and long. This is from the lieu-dit Lancement and includes 8% viognier."

Price is $101 per bottle.

Tasting Notes - Barringwood Park Pinot Noir 2006

This wine won the Trophy for best Pinot Noir at the Australian Boutique Wine Awards 2007 so my expectations on tasting were substantially increased! Dark Raspberry red, a lifted aroma of aniseed and Kirsch with a touch of pinewood. A silky smooth palate with dense, mouth filling flavours of raspberry and black cherry with a spicy finish, a lick of tannin suggests longevity. I can see why this Pinot would stick out amongst others at a wine show as it is packed full of flavour.

Tasting Notes - Ross Estate Sparkling Chardonnay / Pinot Noir (Recommended)

Unlike so many Aussie sparklers - this wine doesn't taste like cheap Champagne and it doesn't rip the roof of your mouth with harsh acidity and it has no astringent, unpleasant aftertaste. So for me it is a definite stand out. Golden yellow colour with fine, very persistent bead, aromas reminiscent of fresh bread and Summer meadows. The mousse was a little bit lacking but the rich flavours of peach, nectarine and walnut combined with a fresh crispness makes for balanced wine with a lingering soft finish which is extremely pleasing. With this wine there is depth of flavour and good structure that is subtle and refreshing. - Recommended

Tasting Notes - Montalto Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2006

Very pale and youthful in appearance with a weak pale straw colour. I love the aromas; masses of herbaceous grassy, tangy semillon mated with an underlay of tropical sauvignon blanc. Very Margaret River - nice. It's a shame the flavours don't deliver - the dustry herbal notes are there but very faint and somewhat dilutive. Finish is dry, almost to the point of being tart. Buggar! This could have been a cracker.

Tastings Notes - Underground Rose 2006

Another non-descript wine from this negociant house. Can't pick the grape input; thick palate; relatively dry early but then gets progressively thicker. Unfortunately tough vintages cough up plenty of crap rose as producers are desparate to get a product into the market place and this may be one such example.

Cloudwine Imports Portfolio

Most of our customer's would be well aware that we largely focus on domestic producers together with a hand picked selection of kiwis. However a good portion of the customer base already has a strong interest in European wines and we figured we might dip the toe into this market.

Don't get us wrong, we would never profess to have the knowledge of this segment that perhaps Prince Wine Store (gasp!) or Ultimo does but nevertheless we deal with a number of importers that can be relied upon to consistently deliver high quality wines AND good value for money (yep - even in the Australian market context).

I suspect the portfolio will never exceed 100 wines but rest assured all bottles will show plenty of character at a very fair price. Our founding portfolio can be viewed below.....

France - Champagne
- Alfred Gratien NV Brut $70

- Drappier NV Carte 'd Or 375ml / 750ml $31 / $58

- Egly Ouriet Grand Cru Blanc De Noirs NV $186

- Gosset Brut Excellence Nv $59

- Jacquesson Cuvee No.731 NV $73

- Larmandier Bernier Brut Traditional Premier Cru NV $82

- Larmandier Bernier Brut Blanc De Blancs Premier Cru NV $67

France - Burgundy
- Domaine Bernard Defaix Chardonnay Chablis AC 2005 $30
- Domaine Paul Pillot Chardonnay Bourgogne Blanc 2005 $29
- Leroy 1999 Bourgogne Pinot Noir $57
- Verget & Domaine Guffens-Heynen 2005 Marcon Villages Chardonnay $30

France - Other Regions
- Chateau de Mattes Sabran Shiraz Grenache 2004 $23 (Corbieres, Midi)
- Domaine Georges Vernay Cote Rotie Shiraz Viognier 2004 $101 (Rhone Valley)
- Tardieu Laurent 2003 Costieres de Nimes Shiraz $29 (Costieres du Gard, Languedoc)
- Tardieu Laurent 2005 Cotes Du Rhone GSM 'Les Becs Fins' $25 (Rhone Valley)

Germany
- Donnhoff Riesling 2003 $27 (Nahe)
- Georg Bruer Riesling 'Sauvage' 2003 $25 (Rheingau)
- Von Buhl Estate Riesling QbA dry 2005 $20 (Pfalz)

Italy
- Cecchi Di Teuzzo Chianti Classico 2004 $34 (Tuscany)
- Conte Loredan Gasparini Prosecco NV Colli Asolani DOC $24 (Veneto)
- Farnese Montepulciano Opis 2000 $38 (Abruzzo)

Spain
- Bodegas Breton Lorinon Rioja Tinto Crianza 2003 $23 (Rioja)
- Bodegas Valdeorra Godello 'Val de Sil' 2003 $28 (Valdeorras)
- El Coto De Rioja Crianza Tempranillo 2003 $23 (Rioja)
- Luque Amontillado $13 (Jerez)
- Luque Pedro Ximinez $13 (Jerez)

USA
- Rex Hill Pinot Noir 2005 $46 (Oregon)