Wine Traveller

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When in the US drink local wine. This Syrah (Shiraz) was an eye opener! Such soft tannins for a 2023 vintage. I think it’s because the fruit must have had gentle handling. We don’t see much wine from the USA in Australia but I’ll be keeping my eyes open for wine from Washington State!

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Simply one of the best I tasted at Rymill in the Coonawarra. This blend had it all, the Cab Franc lifted the tone perfectly balanced with the Cab Sav. My advice to young players is don’t drink any reds unless there’s at least 3 years age on it.

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This being the no bullshit reviewer, I don’t have much good to say about this Italian ‘pony’. I like Primitivo, or as the Eastern Pacific brethren like to call it ‘Zinfandel’, but this wine doesn’t live up to its roots. Flabby, dull and bland. Maybe it’s too long on the shelf.

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Smart blend of Coonawarra and Clare Valley of South Australia. This puppy could have slept a few more years .

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Recently received a few bottles of this Cab Sauv. Now, Jacobs Ck isn’t my favourite wine, over blown and over pumped. Having said that they’ve done a good job balancing this in the aged whiskey barrels! You can really taste it. Being a 2021 means it’s got enough age to wear down those edges and the barrel flavour added to it.

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It's my 5 year anniversary on Tumblr 🥳

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A taste of the Coonawarra. Balnaves Shiraz picked up at the cellar door two years ago and rested, it’s only got better with age! Spicy, fruity and fine tannins. No rough edges on this boy, a great example of what the Coonawarra can deliver if you give them time.

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On the wine road again…. Trip out to Yering Farm in the Yarra Valley. My pick was their 2021 estate Chardonnay followed by the 2020 estate Pinot Noir. We were treated to a sound and light show courtesy of Mother Nature with massive bolts over the Great Dividing Range.

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Sam's Art Hole

The Ballad of Bella Buttons (based on a true story)

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It's my 4 year anniversary on Tumblr 🥳

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What we’ve been sampling recently.

Blue Gables Jesse Chardonnay from East Gippsland. Sold Out!!

Narkoojee Reserve Chardonnay East Gippsland hidden gem, great wine and a great restaurant.

Monichino Rose. Rubarb notes, it’s a pity they’ve closed.

Vinteloper Watervale Riesling from the Claire Valley.

Sticks from Yarra Valley a 2021 Chardonnay.

Finally, my two ladies. Dad and daughters day on Saturday 😘

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Weekend deserves a reward.

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Winter warmer for a Friday night in. The Monichino 2017 Barbera. Everything a Barbera should be, in spades. Another winery that’s stopped producing and didn’t have the energy to keep it open, or in the family. They couldn’t find a buyer either, too far from Rutherglen and too far from Yarrawonga? A real pity. We stopped there last time we were up North. Tasted a cellar release of an old Tawny from the 70’s, wine lovers get recognised no matter where they go. Thank you Monichino.👍🏻😘

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Finally back home after 2 weeks away 🥱 … guess what, we’re out to a Thai restaurant tonight… Brown Rice in Chelsea.

Jo has picked out the perfect wine from the collection, A Coriole (McLaren Vale South Australia) Piquepoule. Soft delicate almost salty taste, recommended for seafood but compliments spicy food nicely. 2020 vintage so a little bit more age helped tame down any sharpness. Curry puffs, stir fry prawns with basil and cashews and massaman curry.

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But wait there’s more wine drinking in China. Dinner invitations every night.. but sometimes you need time out. Me alone in Shanghai with a book for company. Destination 8 Pints

A cute little ’pub’ with enough choice on tap to please anyone. Good range of bar snacks all reasonably priced.

Quite a crowd of young punters out on the streets after 8, quite buzzing area.

After that brief message from marketing, back to the vino.

A white Bordeaux and an Erigone from French Pyrenees, Madiran.

First the Erigone which is a wine I hadn’t tasted before. Tannat and Cab.Sav. Although the producer said they only use Tannat. Very dark in colour and taste but not intense.

The White Bordeaux was a blend of Sauv Blanc and Semillon which always make a great friendship when balanced. Flavour with body.

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Grand Dragon Cab.Sauvignon. Yep Chinese red wine. It’s come a long way since I first tasted Sino Vino back in ‘99. Rule of wine: You only taste the successful ones. This wine wasn’t remarkable but when in Ningbo….

Back to the old world.. Bordeuax Libourne. Bordeaux can bring together the best of CabSav and Merlot but get the ratio wrong and Merlot will disappear. This one had the right balance.

Treated to dinner at one of the best restaurants in Ningbo central city. I’m going off point and post food photos.

The little clams were bursts of flavour sweet, sour and chillies, normally I’m not a seafood man but these little devils changed my mind.

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Now let’s start the China (business) trip. I didn’t take a picture of the label but I started with a Clombard-Chenin Blanc at the Mad Dragon on DongHu road in Shanghai. I loved the mural so much so I’ll post that.

Next stop a little wine bar down the road.

Casa Silva Reserve Chardonnay 2021 in Colchagua Valley central Chile. I could taste that they had used mostly old oak and finished in stainless. Unripe peach and nectarines was the predominant flavour. Great on a hot night in Shanghai.