tastes of - Vintages

DISCOVER OUR LATEST • SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 2011
AUSTRALIA – RED WINE CONT’D
PILLAR BOX RESERVE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2008
Padthaway/Mt. Benson, South Australia
(Henry’s Drive Vignerons)
TASTING NOTE: About 30% of the 2008 Pillar Box
Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon was matured in
oak, 90% French and 10% American. This label is
essentially a barrel selection of the best barrels
destined for the Pillar Box wine. Due to the warm
2008 vintage, about 17% of the fruit this year
came from cooler Mt Benson. Deep garnet-purple
colored, it has pronounced aromas of warm
blackcurrant, kirsch, spice box, cloves, and bay leaf
plus a touch of mint. Very crisp in the mouth, the
acid cuts through the rich, full bodied warm berry
fruit while a medium level of fine tannins provide
just enough texture. It has a good long finish.
Drinking now, it will be at its best before 2017.
Score: 89 (Lisa Perrotti-Brown, MW, erobertparker.com,
Oct. 2010)
199745 (XD) 750 mL $19.95 2
SUMMERFIELD MERLOT 2008
Pyrenees, Central Victoria
TASTING NOTE: The 2008 Merlot has a deep
garnet purple color and wonderful ripe plum,
mulberry and game aromas with some bacon, iron
ore, loam and a bit of dried fruit cake. Mediumhigh
acid and a medium level of velvety tannins
provide great structure to the concentrated, fullbodied
palate. With a long finish, this wine will be
best consumed from 2012 to 2018+. Score: 91
(Lisa Perrotti-Brown, MW, erobertparker.com,
June 2010)
228130 (XD) 750 mL $32.95 2
YABBY LAKE RED CLAW SHIRAZ 2007
Heathcote, Victoria
TASTING NOTE: Dark colour; blue and black
fruits, with a slight tarry edge to the aroma; dried
herbs and black fruits marry on the palate, and
the oak plays a fine supporting role. Drink [until]
2016. Score: 94 (James Halliday,
winecompanion.com.au, Nov. 2008)
228114 (XD) 750 mL $29.95 2
30 VINTAGES SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 2011
NEW ZEALAND – WHITE WINE
DOG POINT VINEYARD
SAUVIGNON BLANC 2010
Marlborough, South Island
TASTING NOTE: Intense, lively wine with lemon
zest, gooseberry, green capsicum and a suggestion
of passion fruit. Tangy, mouth-watering Sauvignon
Blanc with character. Score: HHHHK (Bob
Campbell, MW, bobswinereviews.com, Jan. 2011)
677450 (XD) 750 mL $19.95 1
GREYWACKE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2010
Marlborough, South Island
(Kevin Judd)
TASTING NOTE: Classic New Zealand fruit
plus some juniper and elderflower. Sandy texture,
sophisticated and balanced. Bright and fruity
without any excessiveness. Drink 2011 to 2012.
Score: 16.5 (out of 20) (Richard Hemming,
jancisrobinson.com, Jan. 19, 2011)
164228 (XD) 750 mL $21.95 1
SILENI CELLAR SELECTION
PINOT GRIS 2010
Hawkes Bay, North Island
TASTING NOTE: The 2010 vintage was mostly
tank-fermented and lees-aged, with a small portion
of barrel fermentation. Medium-bodied, with fresh
pear and spice aromas and flavours, it’s a dry style
(3.8 grams/litre of residual sugar), enjoyable young,
with good varietal character and harmony. Drink
2010-2014. Score: HHHKK (Michael Cooper,
Buyer’s Guide to New Zealand Wines, 2011)
032292 (XD) 750 mL $14.95 2