Nice wines I have drunk recently - Red or White

We've just spent a lovely weekend in the King Valley for their La Dolce Vita festival. Lots of wine has been drunk, including this delight with lunch today (nonna's gnocchi).

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Tonights wine – Hungerford Hill 2013 Merlot (Orange)

Medium bodied. Aromas of white pepper predominate on the nose, supported by hints of black olive across a firm earthy background.

The spicy favours continue onto the palette, a mix of olive, plumb and red-licorice. Unusual intensity for a merlot, delivering an interesting combination of concentrated sweet and savoury flavours to the palette. Some tannins are evident, but they are very subtly integrated, with a hint of french oak on the back palette. Good length and complexity leaving a smokey acidic hum on the tongue.

A surprising merlot.
 
I had their Gundagai Shiraz 2013 in april of this year and absolutely loved it. My notes said it was one of the wines of the year. I know it was the first week in, so just over a third of a year to make the call, but it still stands.

A more serious merlot no doubt, akin to the varietal differences found with pinots .
 
JohnM said:
It was excellent; very soft and mellow.

This was the excellent Fume Blanc: Our Wines - Pouilly-Fumé - Domaine Serge Dagueneau & Filles - Pouilly-fumé, pouilly-sur-loire et vins de pays des coteaux charitois
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TheRealTMA said:
Ah I love a good Pouilly Fumé , especially Dagueneau family! I loved the ones from Didier. Had this 2007 at Dinner by Heston recently. Such a pity he died in 2008.
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I do enjoy a Pouilly Fumé also. For many years I was a Sancerre fiend, however was introduced to PF about 10 years ago. Alas, nowadays I am getting old and I am far less "in touch" with the white wine world than I used to be.

That said I rather enjoyed a Vincent Pinard recently. It was a tolerable alternative to beer in the warmth of the dessert.
 
We drank an Argentinian Malbec this evening (don't say we don't listen to you MrM :) )
It was very drinkable (soft, sweet and fruity) but not sure I would rush to try one again.
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I opened another one of the mof_ Ace Pack wines tonight, and I was pleasantly surprised (again). I had seriously low expectations because I vaguely recalled somebody giving this a thumbs down, and I knew it was one of their cheapo wines:

Bayliss Road Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

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I have just posted the following review on Vivino:

http://www.vivino.com/wines/26773332

"I had no expectations for this wine that I got from Vino mof_ in one of their mystery packs given its young age and reasonable price. So I was pleasantly surprised. It's got a predominantly cherry nose with a very slight hint of meatiness. The palate is very smooth and well put together with cherries and chocolate working seamlessly in the mouth. It's not layered and complex, but it's very fine. And I would say this is a great mid week tipple. I reckon this will be even better in 2/3 years time. Very nice. Thanks mof_."

That's a Vivino 3.5 stars from me, which is not bad for the under a Tenner. How do they do it?
 
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Re: Nice Wines I have DranK Recently - Red or White

Wozza said:
Just heading home in the soggy rain of Sydney (secretly hoping Mrs Wozza will pick me up from the station), and having just finished the obligatory Friday Night Drinks at work. And guess what? I think I may have a contender for that allusive Pinot Noir under $40 ...! [Embarrassing jump for joy in the air, just for me then!]

And the contender is the: Brown Magpie Single Vineyard Pinot Noir 2013

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This was Burgandy from the colour to the taste, and all for a respectable Aussie price of $25 through CBD Cellars (broker only). On Vivino I have just posted the following review:

http://www.vivino.com/wines/8602985

"Oh this is a lovely wine had at our work Friday night drinks, courtesy of a promo from CBD Cellars - as you do! It's got a pretty alcoholic nose on the obligatory swill, and a Burgundy colour. But as you taste it, you get cherries, fresh autumn leaves (as the label picture indicates), and those gamey, charcuterie flavours I love in a Pinot Noir. This is seriously good for the price, and a bit French, if I might say. It's still a bit young, but is fine to drink now. Amazing for the price - get some!"

That's a Vivino 4 stars from me.

I didn't source this wine, so I did a quick Google and see Sir Halliday gave it 95 Points and myWineGuy is selling it for $25.95 a bottle in a 12 pack:

My Wine Guy - Brown Magpie Single Vineyard Pinot Noir 2013

Pinot Noir lovers, please take note ...
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Glad to see you enjoyed the Brown Magpie Wozza. I have a few bots put away after trying it upon release. One of my favorite Pinots of the last 12 months.
 
Re: Nice Wines I have DranK Recently - Red or White

I took the plunge and jumped on the Innocent Bystander Yarra Valley Syrah 2014 from VinoMoFo in a 12 Pack at $19.90 a bottle. I thought it was a bit steep for my budget, so I shared the 12 Pack with Katy on the Share a Case thread. I even had to twist her arm because she had blown her budget on Penfolds, and promised her husband - no more wine before Christmas...! Now, how do I a break the news to Katy: it's too good to share! Maybe I should do Katy a favour, and help her maintain that promise she had made!

What was I thinking? I knew it was going to be good. BlackCat says so. And I have tried a few IBs, and loved them. It was a no-brainer.

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On Vivino, I have just posted my review:

https://www.vivino.com/wines/59512880-yarra-valley-syrah-2014

"You know this is going to be special, when you open the bottle and pour your first glass: there's a fruit harvest smell and a dark ruby body, with pinks and light purples on the edge. It's no wonder it has 2 Golds and a 97, best in show. There's a journey to this wine, from the aromatic smell coming from the whole bunch, hand picked methods, to the high quality berry fruit flavours and oak that produce a sweet and savoury, perfectly balanced palate, and a long finish. This is high quality easy drinking wine"

That's 4 stars from me.

I couldn't quite fit the full description in the word limit, but the mid-palate has this wonderful interplay between sweet and savoury flavours, with red berries, a touch of violet, and some charcuterie, that then heads into a slight white pepper zingy finish, that tops off a long, and lingering finish. It's seriously dangerous stuff. So, so drinkable.

DMnz, you better pass that exam of yours, otherwise you are going to be seriously missing out! Katy, sadly for me, I will be bringing in 3 bottles of this finest to work tomorrow - you won't be disappointed. Just PM me when you can.
 
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JohnM said:
Funnily enough, a Skyhooks song just this moment finished blasting out of my Bose - "You just like me 'cause I'm good in ...". Guess the missing word - and the connection -, youngsters...;):):p.
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Fab! Used to be my theme song in younger days! (But memory is selective at my age.)

ps for the younger generation, the magic word is Shiraz.
 
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