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Premium Wine Buying Guide

O n t h e V i n e inside:

In ternat ional F lavour

Seductive Reds

Spring Whites

All panel selected

Spring 2011

the

Ends 27th November 2011

Rod ProperjohnRod began in the wine industry 35 years ago as a Wine Advisory Officer for the Wine Industry Association of WA and gravitated from there into lecturing at the Association’s Wine Education Centre, in which he is still involved. He also ran wine classes for Technical and Further Education. He was a wine columnist for the Western Mail and Daily News papers and later on with the magazines West Coast, Scoop, WineState, Spice, Menu and Cravings. He is also a Regional Wine Show judge and the writer of our newsletter.

Spring awakens the senses as we anticipate warmer days and a few crisp white wines ahead. We

have found you a number here including a very different wine in the varietal arneis which is well

worth trying. There will be many a cool day left to appreciate the big bold reds we have reviewed and

there are light to medium red wines featured that will drink well through to the hotter part of the year.

Imported wines have again featured prominently as we see more and more quality wines land on our

shores in exciting times for importers.

Cheers! Rod Properjohn

Steve PerrySteve has been expertly advising and educating Perth’s western suburbs since 1985. He was a director of legendary Cottesloe Wine Store - John Coppins until 1997 and now leads the team at fine wine store- Swanbourne Liquor Barons. He has travelled extensively around the wine-growing regions of Australia and NZ and has been the Chairman of the Panel for over 10 Years.

Peter BradbeerPeter has been in the wine industry for over 30 years, always tasting and assessing wines for sale and for his own drinking. He has been Wine Show judging and consulting to a major Australian wine company. Being on other professional wine panels gives him a broad view of what is out there, but it is always changing. Peter’s view is you never stop learning.

Michael DicksonFor Michael wine started as an interest, then became a vocation and after 20 years in the wine industry as both a retailer and wholesaler, remains a passion. What keeps that passion alive is the increasing range of new and interesting wines from grape varieties and regions around the world that are becoming available to us.

Basil GigliaBasil has been involved in the liquor industry since 1983. Besides a good drop of wine he can not pass up a cold beer, a good malt whisky or a silky fortified. Basil enjoys selecting wines to compliment the diverse range of foods on offer today. What more is there? Good food, good wine and stimulating company and enjoying life.

Paul (Ed) EdwardsEd joined the wine trade in 1998 and has managed fine wine stores in London, Sydney and Perth. He led Hyde Park Cellars to win the NSW Liquor Store of the year Award in 2001 before moving to the historic cellars- ‘Averys of Bristol’, to study for the WSET (Wine & Spirits Education Trust) diploma which he passed in 2005. In 2008 Ed was the WA representative in the national final of the prestigious, Negociants ‘Working with Wine’ Fellowship.

Alex MichellyAlex hails from a winemaking background and brings much technical winemaking knowledge to the panel. Since 2002, Alex has worked 9 vintages in 5 countries, completing vintages with Amberley and Cape Mentelle before heading across the Tasman to make wine for St Clair in Marlborough. Alex has also worked vintage in Portugal, California and Canada. When not making wine, Alex has worked in fine wine stores in Boston and Perth.

Thomas RickThomas is our late starter to wine appreciation and as the youngest member of the panel his accreditation may not read as long as others. But with a sensitive palate and a good nose for what is truly outstanding wine value, he is always looking for the next fine wine bargin for the customer.

Paul McArdlePaul is currently the CEO for Fonty’s Pool winery in Pemberton. He is the wine consultant for ‘Must’ wine bar/restaurant in Perth (since 2004). Paul is regularly involved in both trade and consumer wine education and passed the UK based ‘Masters of Wine’ (MW) tasting exam in 2003.

Peter J. SemmensPete has been apart of this industry for over thirty years on both sides of the counter. Noel his father, introduced him to the finer things in life, including food and wine. He readily admits to having a “punters palate” and loves to de-mystify wine by stating, “A good wine... is a wine you like”.

T h e P a n e l

Welcome

Totara 2010 Central Otago Pinot Noir (NZ)Central Otago is taking the wine world to another height with its pinot noir and this is a reason why. A dark ruby colour with cherry aromas and herbal spicy characters on the nose. Smoky oak on the palate complements the rich ripe red fruits, fine tannins and lively acid. Totara recommends you serve this with guinea fowl. We couldn’t agree more.

$1499each by mixed 6pk

Greywacke 2009 Marlborough Pinot Noir (NZ)A brilliant wine aimed at the pinot enthusiast. Made by Kevin Judd of Cloudy Bay fame from hand picked and mercilessly sorted grapes, this glistens in the glass and has a long creamy palate with loads of finesse. You’ll notice floral notes, cherry; smokiness and kitchen herbs all subtly bundled up in a beautifully structured package. Limited Supply.

Janisson & Fils Brut Tradition Champagne (Fr)All dressed up formally in a silver label and foil on a dark green bottle, this relatively new label, in Oz at least, certainly looks the part and the wine within the package is stunning. It has all the classic features and shows in particular a very good balance of bready flavours, complexity, elegance and acid finish. Drinks beautifully right now.

$4799each by mixed 6pk

$3899each by mixed 6pk

Behold, my friends, the spring is come; the earth has gladly received theembraces of the sun, and we shall soon see the results of their love.Sitting Bull

W h i t e s

No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn.Hal Borland

Villa Maria 2011 First Release Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc (NZ)From Marlborough, this is one of a large bunch of cracking wines from this celebrated winery. It’s zesty, perfumed, tropical-fruited and grassy, all the positives we’d expect from this label. Add to that a lively citrus freshness on the palate with really good length and an assertive acid finish.

Wicks Estate 2011 Sauvignon BlancAfter a brilliant 2010 vintage and a highly successful wine from that year, this new release has already won gold. It was a tough vintage for many neighbours in the Adelaide Hills, but this shows lively tropical fruited aromas and a fresh herbal and sugar pea lift along with lemongrass flavours and a tidy acid finish. For drinking in its youth.

Innocent Bystander 2010 Pinot GrisA pleasant straw colour is an introduction to this full-flavoured Yarra Valley wine. Toss in some ripe pear aromatics, melon and spice flavours on the palate and you have a very approachable young white. A smidge of oak and textural lees complexity add interest. Acids are soft and this encourages you to drink this in its youth.

Villa Maria 2010 East Coast Private Bin Pinot Gris (NZ)The Kiwis do well with this variety, most have a recipe that includes retaining freshness and leaving a sizeable dollop of grape sugar in the wine. This is straight out of the book and apart from these two ingredients; it has poached pear, a little spice and soft acidity. Drink it soon, especially with shellfish.

$1499each by mixed 6pk

$1499each by mixed 6pk

$1799each by mixed 6pk

$1799each by mixed 6pk

Spring 2011

Rocky Gully 2011 RieslingBy Frankland Estate domiciled in the Great Southern region of WA, this is lively fresh riesling that is designed for everyday quaffing over the warm months ahead. Floral aromatics, citrus fruit and crisp acidity abound in the wine. Reserve it for light seafood dishes and a garden fresh salad.

$1499each by mixed 6pk

Every spring is the only spring - a perpetual astonishment.Ellis Peters

Fraser Gallop 2011 Semillon Sauvignon BlancA dynamic new Margaret River label, Fraser Gallop is creating a diversity of good wine under the tutorage of experienced winemaker Clive Otto. This blend is another, a well balanced young white with attractive tropical fruit, lemongrass zestiness and a little texture and complexity derived from partial oak fermentation.

Lenton Brae 2011 Semillon Sauvignon BlancThe family-owned Margaret River winery of Lenton Brae celebrates the 25th anniversary of this wonderful wine with this vintage. The quality continues with zesty lemon and tropical flavours and grassy edges. Its imposing track record says “drink now or over the next seven or eight years.” It’s completely up to you.

Zarephath 2011 Petit ChardonnayFrom the eastern slopes of the Porongurups in the Great Southern, this bright young chardonnay is a contemporary style with buckets of stone fruit, citrus and minerality and stretches to a long fine finish. A straightforward cleansing wine without complicating oak flavours. Serve with fish dishes.

O’Leary Walker 2010 Polish Hill River RieslingThis is classical Clare Valley riesling from the sub-region of Polish Hill River and has the qualities you’d expect from a very smart vintage. Look for lime juice, floral nuance, good length, minerality and a refreshing acid finish. Perfect with some pan-fried whiting which just happen to swim in abundance in the gulfs to the south and west of Clare.

Clonale by Kooyong 2010 ChardonnayFrom the Mornington Peninsula, this white is made from a selection of chardonnay clones planted on the Kooyong property. After whole bunch pressing, non-intervention is the type of winemaking used with indigenous yeasts and older oak barrels playing their part. A favourite of ours, look for stone fruit/citrus, mealy and mineral characters and creamy textures.

$1799each by mixed 6pk

$1899each by mixed 6pk

$1999each by mixed 6pk

$1999each by mixed 6pk

$2499each by mixed 6pk

Spring 2011

First Drop 2010 ArneisAn up-and-coming variety in Oz. Arneis is popular in Piedmont Italy and is sometimes known as the white Barolo. This Adelaide Hills wine is juicy with floral notes and citrus along with a belt of ripe stone fruit. It packs a flavourful punch and a firm finish. A full scrumptious wine for drinking over the summer months ahead. Different.

$1999each by mixed 6pk

Bleasdale 2009 Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon MalbecThe Broad-Side is a very traditional Australian mix of three red varieties which synchronise to give chocolate, plum, blackcurrant and blueberry fruits and a little pepper spice. The dustiness of oak and soft tannins add to the equation. From grapes grown at Langhorne Creek, near the mouth of the mighty Murray River.

Rocca Ventosa 2010 Sangiovese IGP (It)Bright medium ruby in colour, this 100% sangiovese is vibrant with fresh red fruits and an underlying earthiness and is well balanced with good structure. There’s no apparent oak. It’s an out and out sprinter, drink reasonably soon, especially with pizza. Love this wine and the price is a real bonus.

Torbreck 2010 Woodcutter’s ShirazA dense black red colour this Barossa Valley red has oodles of ripe fruit on the nose along with licorice, plum and sweet oak. The palate is full blooded shiraz with a solid structure of oak, tannins and length. It’s a big wine, but is not overtly hot nor too oaky. Another shiraz for the big red wine lover.

$1299each by mixed 6pk

R e d s $999

each by mixed 6pk

$1999each by mixed 6pk

Spring 2011

Santa Christina 2009 Toscana (It)By the internationally-known Antinori family this is a lovely light young sangiovese from Tuscany and opens with a rustic mid-red colour and a vibrant savoury nose of cherries, meat stock and a touch of Florentine leather. The palate is supple with spice, earth, red fruits and dusty tannins and extends to a drying acid finish. Choose your pasta.

$1699each by mixed 6pk

Science has never drummed up quite as effectivea tranquilizing agent as a sunny spring day.

Terri Guillemets

Torres 2008 Coronas Tempranillo (Esp)From the large producer Torres, this is a well-priced introduction to Spanish reds. It’s predominantly tempranillo from the Catalunya region of Spain and has the traditional rustic earthiness combined with red berry fruits, dusty oak and kitchen spices. Medium weighted and easy drinking.

$1499each by mixed 6pk

Prevelli 2009 Cabernet MerlotCabernet sauvignon with its blackcurrant fruit, mint/eucalyptus and grippy tannins is balanced by the red fruit and softness of merlot which adds weight and fills out the palate. Oak then adds a sweet lifted complexity to this young Margaret River wine. Will age well for five or six years.

$1999each by mixed 6pk

Cape Mentelle 2009 Cabernet Merlot ‘Trinders’Another great vintage in Margaret River and another very good wine under this label. It has Margaret River forest floor, wild berry fruits, savouriness, a whiff of parsley and after some breathing, French oak starts to poke through. Has chalky, not aggressive tannins and will drink well for at least another half decade.

Elderton 2008 Barossa ShirazBarossa shiraz from a very warm vintage, so you’re getting some big flavours in this. Deep colour, sweet prune-like fruit and coconut oak on the nose, the mouthfeel is full, round and velvety textured and is generous in all aspects. For the macho brigade and a big rib-eye beef steak. Very good value.

Palacios Remondo 2010 La Vendimia Rioja (Esp)We loved the 09 vintage of this wine and this release is similar, but has more grenache than tempranillo. From the Rioja region, it’s medium red/mauve, has savoury plum and a big dollop of raspberry and a smidge of oak to complement. A modern fleshy approach to the Rioja red style with silky tannins. Although youthful, it’s for drinking now or a short term in the cellar.

Howard Park 2009 Leston Cabernet SauvignonFrom Margaret River and a ripper vintage, this shows the typical structure of the variety and region with grippy tannins upfront, a medium body of blackcurrant and black olive, sweet toasty oak and good length, finishing with a cleansing chalkiness. May be cellared with confidence.

$2399each by mixed 6pk

$2499each by mixed 6pk

$2499each by mixed 6pk

$3799each by mixed 6pk

Spring 2011Now every field is clothed with grass, and every tree with leaves;now the woods put forth their blossoms, and the year assumes its fine attire.Virgil

Specials end 27/11/11. While stocks last. Pics for illustration purposes only. Prices inclusive of GST. OTV Magazine published by Liquor Barons Co-Op Ltd.Suite 16 350 Cambridge St Wembley WA 6014 . Tel 08 9287 2222

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