#cellar talk

[huonhooke]

Something Else

Bluegrass Bourbon $27.89 / 700ml 

Pungent coconut, vanilla American oak drives the nose and palate together with smoky and dried citrus- peel nuances. There’s generous sweet fruity/oaky flavour, and the spirit has a little hotness, but this is hardly an issue at the price. Hard to beat for value, especially as a mixer. (40 per cent alcohol.) 

Stockists: Aldi supermarkets that sell liquor; www.aldi.com.au

[huonhooke]

Indulge Yourself

Brokenwood Latara Vineyard Semillon, Hunter Valley 2009 $55 This is a great semi-mature semillon such as only the Hunter can produce. It has lemony fruit and straw-bale, dried-herb developed nuances. The palate is fresh and intense with focused lemony fruit, still bright and primary. Great length and lip-smacking dry finish. Delicious. (11 per cent alcohol.)  Ageing: Now to six years. Score: 96 - Huon’s Wine 360

Food: Oysters with lemon juice. Stockists: Vino Central, Ivanhoe, Melbourne; Best Cellars, Sydney.

[huonhooke]

$20-$35

Domaine du Vissoux Les Griottes Beaujolais 2013 $32-$33 A smart, stylish, modern Beaujolais with very attractive clean, fresh cherry and strawberry aromas, with a pleasing lack of meaty carbonic maceration character. It's soft, fruity and delicious and the tannins are light and gentle. (12 per cent alcohol). Ageing: now to 2023. Score: 91 - Huon’s Wine 360

Food: Country-style terrine. Stockists: Prince Wine Store, Melbourne; Annandale Cellars, Sydney.

[huonhooke]

Under $20

Toi Toi Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough 2014 $10 Intense lantana, nettle and gooseberry aromas are typical of Kiwi savvy. It’s bright and appealing, very fruity in the mouth with an obvious lift of sweetness, balanced out by crisp, refreshing but not aggressive acidity. Juicy taste; long finish. A bargain at this price. (13 per cent alcohol). Ageing: Now to five years. Score: 89 - Huon’s Wine 360

Food: Mussels mariniere. Stockist: Dan Murphy’s stores.

[huonhooke]

Brew

Stone & Wood Pacific Ale, Byron Bay  $5-$7/330ml (six-pack $19-$23)

A very fruity, character-filled ale brewed from all Australian ingredients at Byron Bay. It has a cloudy golden appearance and very aromatic, tropical, hop-driven bouquet, while the taste is satisfying and refreshing with pleasant hoppy bitterness. (4.4 per cent alcohol.) 

Stockists: The Oak Barrel, Sydney; The George Basement, St Kilda, Melbourne.

[huonhooke]

Indulge Yourself

Fletcher X12 Langhe Rosso, Piedmont 2012 $40-$45 This nebbiolo, cabernet sauvignon, merlot blend is produced by an Aussie living in Piedmont. It’s a seriously good red, with foresty and subtle berry aromas, richness and density in the mouth, lots of fruit and tannin. All components are beautifully melded. It finishes with authoritative grip. (14.5 per cent alcohol.) Ageing: Now to 12 years. Score: 91 - Huon’s Wine 360

Food: Beef casserole. Stockists: Vaucluse Cellars, Sydney; Prince Wine Store, Sydney & Melbourne.

[huonhooke]

$20-$35

De Bortoli Melba Lucia Cabernet Sauvignon, Yarra Valley 2012 $22 The colour is deep red-purple and the aromas recall red cherry, raspberry, violet and a little briar. It’s elegantly weighted and fine, with length, harmony and style. The tannins are firm and tight, but without astringency. A stylish cabernet. (13 per cent alcohol). Ageing: now to 20 years. Score: 94 - Huon’s Wine 360

Food: Aged Comte cheese. Stockists: Vintage Blue, Sydney; Leo’s Fine Food & Wine, Melbourne.

[huonhooke]

Under $20

Houghton Crofters Chardonnay, Pemberton 2013 $19 A fruit-driven, straightforward kind of chardonnay with parsley/green-herb and straw aromas, the palate generously flavoured if not subtle, with pleasing balance and drinkability. (13.5 per cent alcohol). Ageing: Now to three years. Score: 88 - Huon’s Wine 360

Food: Chicken kebabs. Stockists: Dockendorffs Brighton, Melbourne; Camperdown Cellars, Camperdown, Sydney.