2009 Dr Loosen Riesling

"The Dr. Loosen estate has been in the same family for over 200 years. When Ernst Loosen assumed ownership in 1988, he realized that with ungrateful vines averaging 60 years old in some of Germany’s best-rated vineyards, he had the raw materials to create stunningly intense, world-class wines.To achieve this, Ernst dramatically reduced his crop size and stopped all chemical fertilization, preferring only moderate use of organic fertilizers. And, most importantly, he turned to gentler cellar practices that allow the wine to develop its full potential with a minimum of handling and technological meddling." http://www.drloosen.com

I reckon this wine, along Guigal's superb Cotes du Rhone is one of the great value wines of the world. A fantastic little wine that is a perfect and very suitable introduction to the wines of Mosel...indeed Germany (?).

A beautiful, pure nose that shows immediate minerality, stone fruit and lime characters. The palate is clean and refined and has fresh, chalky, citrus marmalade notes and well framed acidity. It is a fleshy and stylish wine, very slurpable, very classy and fantastic quality for under $20.

 92 Points 

...and the best bit...

...screw cap...(deep sigh of relief)

2008 Pegasus Bay Bel Canto Riesling

Wow, what a fascinating wine from a fascinating winery.

Based in Waipara, NZ, 30 minutes north of Christchurch, Pegasus Bay has always been a winery that pushes the envelope whilst being completely respectful to it's terroir. I've always admired the Donaldson's liberating and passionate individualism.

A wine created from late harvested, partially botrytic fruit that's been fermented to dryness. Some of the juice was left unclarified before being fermented by indigenous yeasts and matured in old barrels.

It's a pretty rich Riesling that opens with peach, Turkish delight, mandarin and lime on the nose. The pallet is an fantastic interplay of  stone fruit, passionfriut and heady, musky notes. The acid structure may well be the highlight of this wine - incredibly precise and focused. The wine finishes, fiercely dry with incredibly clarity.

97 Points

2004 Dalwhinnie Pinot Noir

From one of my favourite producers. I've always enjoyed the taught chardonnays and silky Shirazes from this iconic Pyrenees producer nestled in the remotest corner of the region at 595m.

This wine opens up with a big cherry nose - dominant dark and red cherry notes with some tangy spice notes. It evolves and develops over time showing real complexity and the beginning of some really interesting secondary notes. The palate continues this theme and introduces some complex tar, meat and spicey oak notes to a back ground of cherry and stewed cherry character. Lovely balance are the hall marks of this beautifully mature Pinot Noir. Drinking superbly right now.
 
93 Points

2007 Mount Langi Ghiran Shiraz

Situated in the Grampians,  the vineyards are located in a spectacular setting, at an elevation of 350 metres, situated at the base of the 540 metre cliff face of Mount Langi Ghiran. Directly opposite is the Mount Cole state forest positioning the vineyards within a 30km valley. Originally planted in 1870, the site was re established in 1963 by Italian immigrants the Fratin brothers. Their first plantings were the Swiss Clone Shiraz, taken from the 140 year old nursery block in Great Western.


For those who have made the 'pilgrimage' to this incredible place, you'll know that there is nothing else like it....


 

  
An amazing wine from one of Australia's most talented winemakers, Dan Buckle. A wine with true elegance, it is silky and perfumed and made with deft hands. Sourced entirely from the Old Block planted in 1963 this wine is dense and tight, with finely structured tannins building on the palate. The wine is tightly wound and restrained with years to go before its full savoury and fruit complexity shines through. The wine continues on the palate with ripe blueberry and raspberry fruits, complex spices and tight acidity adding length and definition.

Hand selected and picked from successive passes through the Old Block over several weeks. The best parcels are separated and a considerable portion of fruit is left on the vin. A small percentage of whole bunch fermentation adds perfume and lift to the nose, and builds further tannic structure.

96 Points

2007 Yering Station Coombe Farm Chardonnay

 
A wine of structure and grace. An expression of acidity, minerality and controlled power. From the Coombe Farm vineyard on the Yarra Valley floor planted to the Mendoza clone. Handpicked in early April and whole bunch pressed into stainless steel tank. Racked and warmed into tank to 16°C and left to commence fermentation with wild yeast. No malolactic fermentation was carried out. Lees stirred in tank once a month for 2 months then racked to 500 L barrel and lees stirred every week for 6 weeks.

White peach and pear lead on the nose with restrained oak, leesy complexity and a hint of struck match in the background. A stunning Yarra Valley Chardonnay in the most progressive sense.

 

96 Points