Just like previous years, we could have easily just selected 12 different wines that are very expensive (usually, there is a correlation between price and quality), but we decided to select wines based on what we thought were fantastic quality, represented excellent value for money and are available to purchase. Yes, it's a subjective choice and everyone's Top 12 Wines are going to be different, but these are ours and we're confident they'll sit alongside any comparable wine and look very good.
Some of the winners were dead easy to select. Case in point is Tim Adams Riesling 2007 which was awarded Best Bargain for the Year. It was was $20, now $11.80, is from one of the best Riesling producers in Australia and comes with 94 points from Jeremy Oliver and 93 points from each James Halliday and Gary Walsh. Within a week we had sold over 200 dozen and the decision was made then, Bargain of the Year.
Blind Freddy could have guessed Cabernet of the Year was from a Margaret River producer, however convention would have pointed them towards the stunning 2008 or 2009 vintages. But we're not Blind Freddy and found a Cabernet Sauvignon from one of the greatest Margaret River vintages of all, the famed 2001. It's the Willespie Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 and it comes straight out of the winery's own cellar, so you know it's been stored correctly. With 10 years of age, this wine is drinking at its peak, with serious structure, the fruit and oak seamlessly married, layers of aroma and flavour that cascade over one another to the nose and then onto the palate, this is one of those reds that wine lovers wish they had a cellar full of. Simply, this is a 10 year Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon from one of the best Margaret vintages ever and it's just $33. It comes with Ray Jordan's endorsement as back-up, but you don't need that, you just need to sit back and drink this rare beauty.
Best Shiraz of the Year is always going to be a difficult one. Past winners include Trevor Jones Wild Witch and Collector Marked Tree Shiraz and looking at the difference between these two wines alone highlights our problem. Warm Climate or cool climate? Premium price or something more affordable? This year we settled on something a little in the middle, yes we sat on the fence and the winner was Mount Avoca Shiraz 2009. It's medium bodied, with layers of interesting dark fruit; it's complex but still comes with loads of flavour, all of which is restrained. It's a wine you can open and enjoy immediately, a wine you can let breath and enjoy it evolve or a wine that will last for a decade in the cellar. Essentially, this wine is for everyone. For good measure, it was included in the 2011 James Halliday Top 100, picking up 96 points as well as earning comments such as "undoubtedly one of the bargains of the year thus far. Outstanding value" from the wine critics. Add a $25 price tag and we think this has earned the right to be named Shiraz of Year.
Folks, we could write a thesis on each wine selected in this newsletter, but we'll save you time and let the wines do the rest of the talking. As you'll notice they come loaded with reviews that do all the explaining for us. So please, indulge and have a read.
Before we finish off for this week, please note you can buy the wines individually or as a part of Cloudwine's Top 12 Wines Christmas Dozen". The prices are pretty darn sharp to begin with, but when you buy the mixed dozen, we shave a couple dollars from the price of each bottle. As you will see, we have all bases covered if you wish to purchase this dozen for Christmas day. Start off with white sparkling, then move to a red or a white. Open a sparkling red with the roast and finish off with a dessert wine. Sounds fun & easy. Furthermore, we haven’t gone overboard with the price either. This is delivered anywhere in Australia for just $299.
Cloudwine's Top 12 Wines of 2011 Christmas Dozen
Best Bargain of the Year
Tim Adams Riesling 2007
"Mouth-wateringly tangy and refreshing this long, smooth and citrusy riesling reveals a hint of buttered toast and honey beneath its aromas of pear, apple and white flowers. Underpinned by fine, chalky phenolics, its long, lingering palate of crunchy and slightly candied juice and lemon, becoming richer and more generous with time in the glass." 94 points. Jeremy Oliver. The Australian.
…It’s flowery and packed with assorted citrus fruits and spice with an intense palate offering lime, grapefruit and apple flavours. On the palate dry and minerally with squeaky acidity and a lightly chalky texture closing with a good long tangy citrus finish. It offers an abundance of Riesling flavour, delivered with precision and grace. A convincing wine. Rated : 93 Points. Tasted : Mar08. Alcohol : 12%. Price : $22. Closure : Screwcap. Drink : 2008 - 2017 Sunday, Mar 23 2008 Gary Walsh. The Winefront.
BEST IN CLASS. Limpid clear watery colour with silvery green glints. Arresting nose, classic cut lime aromas, with chamomile flowers, grated apple and stone. The flavours tease the tongue, the acidity a cutting caress, the whole dances lightly but very insistently and flows through to a sensational finish. It is delicious now but has so much more to give through good cellaring. 2009 International Wine and Spirits Competition,
Classic regional evocation without any distortion from heat or drought; almost slippery citrus fruit flavour; good line, likewise finish. Rating: 93 Drink By: 2012 Price: $22.00 Date Tasted: 23 Apr 2008 Alcohol: 12% James Halliday
This is always among the finest rieslings produced in the Clare Valley and the 2007 certainly doesn’t break the tradition. It's rapier-sharp and beautifully focused, still bright with characters of lime and blossom, and with a structure in which the alcohol plays second fiddle to the acid. TOP DROP: Tony Harper, Brisbane News, April 2008
Fruit from 10 different vineyards was used in the making of this lively Riesling yet it’s still unmistakably Clare Valley. It's aromatic and youthful with intense citrus lemon and lime on the bouquet and palate, mineral characters, a balanced acidic backbone and a crisp, dry finish. Drink it with freshly shucked oysters or cellar for a decade or more. LIVELY Kerry Skinner, Illawarra Mercury, April 2008
KEY POINTS
- Was $20, Now $11.80
- From one of the best Riesling producers in Australia
- Best in Class: 2009 International Wine and Spirits Competition,
- 94 points. Jeremy Oliver
- 93 Points. James Halliday
- 93 Points. Gary Walsh
Best Chardonnay of the Year
Port Phillip Estate Chardonnay 2009
“Prince Phillip is your companion for distinguished dining. A chardonnay of intellect, restraint and texture, with a lees- and solids-derived complexity to its finely poised grapefruit. Subtle vanilla and almond notes thanks to seamlessly integrated French oak. Drinking: 2015-2025 Rating: 94” Tyson Stelzer
"96 Points. Bright, colour; a savoury and complex wine showing characuterie, lemon blossom, grilled cashew and fennel; the palate is tightly wound, fresh, vibrant, long and complete, offering texture, crunchy acidity and a linear conclusion. Screwcap, 13.5% alc. To 2018. $30" James Halliday Australian Wine Companion 2012 Edition.
"This 2009 release Chardonnay is impressive for its restraint; but in that it wont be for everybody. I like these finer, dare I say Chablis-like styles from Sandro. Here, acidity and taut fruit characters are the lead actors on the stage. Nougat and blanched almond oak does surface in the bouquet, but I see the default aromatics as white peach, green apple and nashi pear. The palate is rigid; its an easily enjoyable, energetic blast of finely wrought granny smith apple, lemongrass and grapefruit. Very coiled and very tight, it’s a style that revokes the ABC mantra of old. I like it…its limitations are its assets and restraint is attractive. Crispness is the triumph at hand and the wine should cellar well, albeit medium term, for an interesting evolution. As is, a bristling, refreshing drink with some finesse on hand. Rated : 92 Points" Mike Bennie, The Wine Front.
"5 Stars. An elaborately made, pale Mornington Peninsula chardonnay with plenty of personality. The nose is a complex, seamless melange of poached nectarine, grapefruit, spicy oak, burnt match and chalky aromas. In the mouth it has an attractively creamy, pleasantly layered feel with excellent balance and persistence." Ralph Kyte-Powell, The Age, Epicure, Tuesday 19th May, 2011
“An left-field style of fruit-driven chardonnay, with chalky mineral high-notes overlying honeysuckle and herbal aromas. It’s lively and intense in the mouth, crisply bone- dry and the acidity is mouthwatering. Oak is barely there. 92 points”. Huon Hooke
KEY POINTS
- 96 Points. James Halliday
- 94 Points. Tyson Stelzer
- 92 Points. Mike Bennie
- 92 Points. Huon Hooke
- 5 Stars. Ralph Kyte-Powell
Best Cabernet Sauvignon of the Year
Willespie Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
The 2001 Margaret River vintage has been hailed by the nations’s leading wine reviewers as benchmark year, one where great wines were made and such wines are drinking at their peak right now. This Willespie Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 comes straight from the winery’s cellar, and with the benefits of perfect storage, coupled with a great vintage, an excellent fruit source and skilled wine-making ensure you're receiving more drinking pleasure than you’d expect for the asking price of $33.
With all of the elements falling into alignment for the ‘perfect vintage’ this now is the proof of the pudding! Serious structure, the fruit and oak seamlessly married, layers of aroma and flavour that cascade over one another to the nose and then onto the palate, this is one of those reds that wine lovers wish they had a cellar full of. Deep berry, curranty fruit leading into warm chocolate and that smooth touch of fine French oak all work so well to please the taster/imbiber. The benefits of 30-60 minutes decanting show just how solid a wine this really is, the texture broadens and the wine opens out into even more layers. In two words, Elegant Power.
“Very stylish and elegant cabernet from what was a very good vintage down that way. Opens with leafy tobacco-like cabernet on the nose with a muted background of blackcurrant. The palate is silky and neatly inte-grated with fine tannins and dusty oak overlaying the poised fruit.” Ray Jordan 2009
Willespie has produced many attractive white wines over the years, typically in brisk, herbaceous Margaret River style; all are fruit- rather than oak-driven. The wines have had such success that the Squance family (which founded and owns Willespie) has increased winery capacity, drawing upon estate vineyards. Exports to the UK, Japan and Singapore. James Halliday
KEY POINTS
- Very rare to have a 10 Year old Margaret River Cabernet
- 2001 was one of the best vintages ever for Margaret River
- Drinking at its peak now
- Comes straight from the winery's cellar
Best Alternative Wine of the Year
Freeman Secco Rondinella Corvina 2007
'This is a magnificent, individualistic red, made with Italy's Amarone wines in mind...' Nick Stock.
'I’ve liked every release of Brian Freeman’s Rondinella Corvina though this 2007 may be my favourite of them all. Even at 15 percent alcohol. It’s a beautifully balanced, characterful, tannic red wine. If I was running a posh restaurant it’d be one of the first wines I put on the list...' 94 Points. Campbell Mattinson WINEFRONT
'A savoury food-style red of Italiante style...aromas of leather, fresh earth and complex secondary development. Full-bodied and firm it has a mellow, minerally non-grapey taste and drying tannin finish.' 94 Points. Top Aussie Red. Houn Hooke. SYDNEY MORNING HERALD
'This is the fifth release of this wine and to my taste the best so far. The 2004 version was a past winner of this coveted award. The most amazing thing about it is the structure and tannins which coat the palate in a most attractive, velvety way. It's intense and hauntingand delicious to sniff and savour...' Wine of the Month. Greg Duncan.
KEY POINTS
- TOP 100, DOUBLE BLUE GOLD MEDAL. 2011 SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL WINE COMPETITION
- 94 Points. Houn Hooke
- 94 Points. Campbell Mattinson
- 94 Points. Nick Stock
Best Import for the Year
Monredon Cotes Du Rhone 2007
"Bloody brilliant" Tony Love
Monredon 2007 Cotes du Rhone ($24-27) has just arrived in the better wine shops and is even better than its '06, which totally rocked for its price. It's essentially an undercover Chateauneuf-du-Pape wine, with bright red berry fruit and lots of personality, with a little anise and herb complexity to boot. Bloody brilliant. Tony Love, The Courier Mail, July 13, 2010.
Powerful, yet light on its feet, a go-to luncheon wine with a beautiful red cored fruity, spice, peppery character. Score: 90-92 Points. Ben Edwards.
A bit of a legend with those in the know, with bright red berry fruit, lots of personality with a little anise and herb complexity to boot. Bloody brilliant. France, $24-$27; Tony Love, National Wine Writer, taste.com.au
Chateau Mont Redon will be familiar to those who know and appreciate Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Owning more than 160 hectares of land in the appellation, Mont-Redon is the largest family-owned producer of Chateauneuf-du-Pape. The estate has completely renewed production facilities over the past 5 years and the quality of wine has increased tremendously during that time. Grapes are also purchased for this very successful Monredon Cotes du Rhone. The vineyards are located in three soil types - sand, limestone and large river bed stones over clay.The style of Château Mont-Redon Côtes-du-Rhône is one expressive of its "terroir," and vinified to exhibit deep, clean, intense fruit, soft, balanced tannins and early approachability. Deep violet red in color, the wine shows aromas of dark berries and raspberries which are confirmed on the full, succulent palate. These are offset by slight grilled notes and nuances of licorice, which carry into the persistent finish.
Key Points
- Highest selling Cotes du Rhone for the year
- From a fantastic vintage
- 90-92 Points. Ben Edwards.
- "Bloody brilliant." Tony Love
Monredon Cotes Du Rhone 2007 is $22 per bottle – click here to buy online
Best Riesling of the Year
Pauletts Polish Hill River Riesling 2010
"Palish very light yellow. Straw/hay aromas; nutty yeasty overtones, palate delicate and refined, intense and driving with good fine but balanced acidity. Delicious. Soft and subtly juicy but not sweet. Very good wine. More classic than the Antonina at this stage." 92 Points Huon Hooke
"Pale green-straw; the fragrant bouquet has waves of citrus, the lime juice palate lifting the bar further, with its intensity and length, amplifying all the promise of the bouquet. The '06 Aged Release tells you why you should hop into this wine now. Screwcap. 12.5% alc. $20; 96 Points." James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion 2012 Edition.
Piercingly intense and shapely, this charmingly pristine and focused riesling has a scent of white flowers, lime juice, lemon rind and pear with undertones of bathpowder and a hint of spice. It’s vibrant, long and tangy, with penetrative citrus fruit driving all down the palate before a finish of crunchy acids and a very marginal sweetness. 94 Points; Drink to 2022; Jeremy Oliver
Key Points
- 94 Points. Jeremy Oliver
- 92 Points Huon Hooke
- 96 Points." James Halliday
- GOLD MEDAL - Royal Melbourne Wine Show 2010
Paullets Polish Hill Riesling 2009 is $20 per bottle – click here to buy online
Best Shiraz of the Year
Mount Avoca Pyrenees Shiraz 2009
James Halliday "great texture, length and balance"
Chris Plummer "An incredible, delicious effort..."
Winemakers John Harris and Cameron McPherson continue to lift the bar at this long-established (1970) winery. Bright crimson-purple; the bouquet has the special fragrance that comes from co-fermented viognier, bright yet also complex; whole bunch shirazfermentation (plus the viognier) has worked brilliantly, giving the wine great texture, length and balance. From Pyrenees, Vic. Drink to 2024 with Wagyu. 96 points, $27, Screwcap, 13.5% alc. James Halliday Top 100 2011
"94 Points. Wines like this shiraz from Mount Avoca make my life as a reviewer so much easier. Open the top and the quality bursts forward. Fresh, vibrant, fruity – and interesting. Plums and eucalypt, smoky cedarwood and fine, gravelly, minerally tannin. It’s essence of shiraz. It’s not over the top. It’s balanced and bright and lengthy. It’s gold medal standard for mine. Alcohol: 13.5% Closure: Screwcap Drink: 2012 - 2019" Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front.
Vibrant and full mulberry colour. Peppery, plum jam nose, with the Viognier working to advantage here, adding an extra weight of pure juiciness and a little floral sexiness.. Nice flick of Pyrenees mint and menthol too. Palate is very tight yet honest andquite pure. Silken, purple, plum jam palate is juicy, ripe and generous yet also savoury, the texture just about perfect. Integrated oak, fleshy blueberry finish. Late, proper tannins. Lovely Viognier integration here, all blueberry edges and a bright androunded palate with style much above the price point. Winner! 18/93. Andrew Graham.
The Dalwhinnies and Warrenmangs of the world may fly the flag admirably for high-end Pyrenees wine, but lately, I've been really impressed by a number of more modestly priced Pyrenees reds, from emerging brands such as Blue Pyrenees, Mitchell Harris and Mount Avoca. The last two names mentioned here share an important resource; the winemaking skills of one John Harris.
Mount Avoca's 2009 Shiraz may well contain some viognier, but v-weed sceptics needn't worry because it's disguised well. In fact, its aroma just beams sexy young shiraz appeal. It's bright, fruity and vividly ripened; showing classic Australian form, yetits proudest punch is pulled by a minty, regional whiff of eucalyptus, whilst a toasty side note of fragrant coffee/vanilla oak complements a drier, more savoury edge. The palate slides in with a fine assortment of medium-bodied, rich, silky flavours, allcleverly offset by a gritty acid/tannin balance, but its most pleasing feature may be the way its bright fruit fore-palate translates into lingering, savoury, earthen tones, spiced up by a dry touch of clove. For its price, the transition is something special. So is its ripeness, brightness, winemaking, balance, polish...
An incredible, delicious effort from a hot, trying vintage. Undoubtedly one of the bargains of the year thus far. Outstanding value. Drink to 2017. Chris Plummer
Key Points
- James Halliday Top 100 2011
- 96 points. James Halliday
- 94 Points. Campbell Mattinson
- 93 Points. Andrew Graham.
- "Undoubtedly one of the bargains of the year thus far. Outstanding value." Chris Plummer
Best Red Sparkling of the Year
Craiglee Sparkling Red No.6
Craiglee is one of the treasures of our national wine history, with a vineyard planted mostly to Shiraz and Riesling and records harking back to the 1860s. Now, there are no questions, this winery produces on of the finest cool-climate shirazes in Australia. But what is not commonly known is that in the cooler years, they produce a stunning sparkling shiraz and this year we have exactly that. A sparkling shiraz from on of Australia’s finest shiraz producers. There were only 100 dozen produced, so this is not going to last.
For those who are unaware of Craiglee, this it was established in 1860 and prospered until the 1920s when it fell into disuse and decay. The vines removed and with no wine made here until more than 50 years later when Pat Carmody arrived and replanted the vineyard and re-established winemaking, once again with Shiraz the main focus. With the addition of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc Craiglee has an interesting array of wines to choose from, but there is more to it than this as seen in this excellent red sparkler.
The bead is very fine and persistent-even into the second day! Nice deep plummy hue with hints of purple in there too, then the aromas come. Spicy plum/berry, some richness/sweetness from the dosage component, a whiff of fine white pepper slips in under the fruit and this is a very inviting drop. Onto the palate and the picture is completed by gently ripe tannins supporting more of that rich/ripe fruit, some cedary/nutmeggy oak notes, even some quartzy/crushed rock elements are present, then it finishes dry and lingering warm at the end. Roast turkey please!
Best White Sparkling of the Year
Serge Mathieu Brut Tradition Blanc de Noir NV
“A crackingly good champagne” Top 10 Champagnes By Jonathan Ray for The Field
Included in "1001 Wines you must try before you Die", Neil Beckett
Today we’re offering you a real deal Champagne at a rock bottom price. Forget the Champagne price wars between Dan Murphies and First Choice. Forget about the exchange rates and forget about $1 here and there. Forget about prices like $59.99, $49.99 and even $44.99 for Champagne. This is the real deal, with loads of critical acclaim and inclusion in Neil Beckett’s “1001 Wines you must try before you Die”, it’s one of the bargains of the year at just $39.95.
But the funny thing is, this little Champagne house wasn’t suppose to become famous, it was suppose to be a retirement job grape grower, Serge Mathieu. But it’s just so damn good that it took off like a rocket. The vineyard is located alongside the famous Drappier and is surrounded by other growers where brilliant, household names such as Billecart-Salmon source their grapes. Like many small houses, Serge Mathieu once sold all his grapes to bigger names, and indeed some of the fruit is still sold in this way today. Since the 1970s, however, this family concern has been bottling and selling Champagnes under its own name. Serge has long since retired, and son-in-law Michel Jacob now leads the team.
Tom Stephenson wrote about this Champagne in May 2007 in the Decanter Magazine and gave it 5 stars out of 5. "In a blind tasting this Champagne has all the hallmarks of a Grand Cru. The Champagne is straw in colour, has a nose of honey with slight tropical fruit overtones. The palate is exceptionally well balanced with biscuity, cream notes and the finish lasts for over 30 seconds."
It’s an RM or récoltant-manipulant Champagne which more or less means harvester-handler, which means it’s a Champagne from a specific plot of land, rather than a great big blend from all over the place. Rich and spicy with honey biscuits, a mild earthiness and a mix of berries and citrus. It’s full flavoured but light on its feet with a fine texture and gentle bubbliness – no harshness or foaming surf-like qualities – it glides. Long aftertaste. Terrific wine. Tasted Jan 2011. Drink : 2011 - 2014 93 Points Gary Walsh, The Winefront
The Blanc de Noirs is a striking burnished gold, almost bronze, in colour; the aromas of ripe cherrylike Pinot melding with meat, spices, and leather lead on to a grand palate-filing mouthfeel uncannily like a mini Bollinger (Grande Annee, not Special Cuvee!). Yet the most lasting impression is of finesse, balance and the lightest of touches in the winemaking . Drink upon release 5+ years. 1001 Wines you must try before you Die, Neil Beckett
[Wine of the month] Aged for four years, that time on its lees has imbued this fizz with beautiful, autolytic complexity. There’s a hint of dried red berries on the nose, lying alongside perky citrus fruits and cream aromas. The palate is vibrant, full of flavor and wonderfully balanced (17.5/20)’ Decanter Magazine
KEY POINTS
- Included in 1001 Wines you must try before you Die, Neil Beckett
- One of the cheapest Champagnes in Australia
- Produced from excellent vineyards
- Small, family winery
- 5 stars. Winestate
- 93 Points. Gary Walsh.
Best Quaffer of the Year
Elefante Tempranillo Shiraz 2009
Campbell Mattinson "It has shape, structure, generosity and, even, personality"
Patrick Haddock "It’s brilliantly vibrant with red fruits like plum"
No one loves Australian wine more than I do, but some new imports are seriously challenging my loyalty. Twenty years ago if you wanted to drink some authentic Italian or Spanish plonk down under, you had to spend a lot of money or put up with a rubbish drop. No anymore. In the past 10 years a feast of quality wines has arrived from Europe – often prices in the mid-$20s – and livened up our drinking choices. As good as these wines are, though, finding them outside of fancy restaurants has been difficult. This explains this year’s stampede for Italy’s Gran Sasso Montepulciano d’Aruzzo 2008 ($9.99). The price was right and you could buy it in bottle shops. Now I have found another ripper, a Spanish beauty called Elefante Tempranillo Shiraz 2009 ($12.99). Not only is it a seriously interesting drink, but the value for money is astonishing. 90 Points, Campbell Mattinson, Sunday Magazine
"It’s brilliantly vibrant with red fruits like plum and raspberry and then backed up by spice, licorice and earth. On the palate, it’s a lovely juxtaposition between Aussie like fruit richness but it’s got an Old World integrity thanks to endearing Tempranillo Tannins. Oak is there but it’s underplayed, perhaps just adding a whisp of complexity. It’s savoury and smoky too which makes it just perfect for BBQ action but in this case I’d put some Chorizo on the hot plate to heighten the hedonism a notch." Patrick Haddock, www.winingpom.com.au, Jan 2011
"Crimson with violet edges. Smoke, vanilla and sweet chocolate with pencil shavings are forward on the nose. The palate, surprisingly is full bodied with dusty tannins to boot. Nice charred red fruit with enough character to hold interest. An incredible buy for followers that seek bang for buck." The Wine Grail, www.winegrail.blogspot.com
The bold red label of this young red encapsulates the verve of modern Spain. From the unyielding plains of Castilla, it has a ripe, intense nose reminiscent of dark berry jam, dry spices, sunburnt earth and vanilla. It tastes intense, ripe and liquorice-like but not heavy, with hearty flavours and balanced fine tannins. 4 Four Stars; Ralph Kyte Powell, The Age
Expressive. Generous. Appealing. Lots of ticks in lots of boxes. It smells and tastes of musk, boysenberry, rich ripe cherries, earth and cedarwood. Very dry, chalky, sour-edged finish – in a positive sense. I could drink a lot of this wine. It has shape, structure, generosity and, even, personality. For $12. Rated : 90 Points. Campbell Mattinson, The Winefront.
Spain (and neighboring Portugal for that matter) is producing some terrific wines that fly under the mainstream radar. This is a thoroughly modern red blend from the Castilla region with lots of smart, bright fruit and some impressive earthiness as well. It's a ripe, full-bodied wine that has some appealling berry flavours tempered by good tannin structure. The label is as bold as the contents of the bottle and what is amazing is the price: at $12.99 this puts a lot of domestic reds to shame. Windsor Dobbin
Key Points
- 90 Points. Campbell Mattinson,
- 4 Four Stars; Ralph Kyte Powell
- Biggest selling wine of the year
Best Pinot Noir of the Year
LowburnFerry Home Block Pinot Noir 2010
This year, one pinot stood head and shoulders above all others. It hails from one of the smallest but brightest stars in Central Otago, it is the Lowburn Ferry Home Block Pinot Noir 2010. Not only is this Cloudwine’s pinot of the Year, it was also the top wine of more than 1500 pinot noirs from throughout Australasia tasted by the Winestate magazine panels over the past year. Furthermore it was also awarded a Blue-Gold Medal at the Sydney International Wine Show where gold medal winning wines are judged again as to how well they compliment foods to receive a blue-gold award. It also picked up another Gold Medal at the NZ International Wine Show (where the previous vintage was Champion Pinot Noir in 2010). Yes, this pinot comes loaded with bling.
This classic Central Otago pinot noir has a lovely aromatic nose and lifted perfume of spice and cherry. Rich and concentrated on the palate with ripe, red and dark fruits, hints of chocolate and subtle integrated oak, the wine has mouth caressing tannins and a very long finish. Enjoy on its own or with foods such as lamb, poultry, duck and venison. It will continue to develop depth and complexity for 5-7 years.
Reviews
Highly concentrated, single vineyard red from Lowburn, in the Cromwell Basin. Deeply coloured, fleshy, warm and supple, with intense plum, cherry and slight licorice flavours and a lovely, silky texture. Winestate Nov/Dec 2011
"Rich, almost luscious Pinot Noir with seductively soft, ripe cherry and plum flavours that linger tantalisingly long after the wine has been swallowed (or in my case, spat). It has a truly silken texture. A real crowd pleaser. 5 stars" Bob Campbell MW - Bobswinereviews.com
Key Points
- Champion Pinot Noir. Winestate Wine of the Year 2011
- Blue-Gold Award. Sydney International Wine Show 2012
- Gold Medal. NZ International Wine Show 2011
- 5 stars. Winestate Magazine Nov 2011
- 5 stars. Michael Cooper's Buyers Guide to NZ Wines 2012
- 5 Stars. Bob Campbell
Best Sticky of the Year
Buller Premium Fine Old Muscat
Fortified Muscat is one of the truly world class Australian wine styles. Nowhere else in the world can you find wines of such complexity withunique raisiny sweetness which is a hallmark of the style. Buller wines produce some the best muscat in the world, but at prices that seriously undervalue their products.
Reviews over the years of this non-vintage muscat.
The N.V. Fine Muscat offers the most complexity of this hedonistic trio. Dark amber-colored, it delivers flavors of toffee, caramel, brown sugar, and dates. All three are well balanced and have long, pure finishes. They are extraordinary values. 96 Points; Jay Miller; Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate
The N.V. Fine Muscat offers the most complexity of this hedonistic trio. Dark amber-colored, it delivers flavors of toffee, caramel, brown sugar, and dates. It is well balanced and has a long, pure finish. R. L. Buller & Son was started in 1921 by the grandfather of Andrew Buller, the current winemaker. The winery remains one of the quality leaders in the production of sweet wines from the warm terroir of Rutherglen. Moreover, the wines cannot be duplicated anywhere else in the world. 96 Points; Jay Miller; Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate
The medium dark amber-colored Premium Fine Muscat (100% Muscat) reveals terrific aromas of toffee, melted caramel, molasses, brown sugar, hazelnuts, and smoke. This blend represents the newest bottled offerings from this Rutherglen producer, an area that produces spectacular fortifieds, especially the Muscats and Tokays (actually Muscadelle). Its freshness, good acidity, soaring aromatics, and unctuous flavors must be tasted to be believed. 96 Points; Robert Parker; Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate
The medium dark amber-colored Premium Fine Muscat (100% Muscat) reveals terrific aromas of toffee, melted caramel, molasses, brown sugar, hazelnuts, and smoke. 95 Points; Robert Parker; Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate
The medium amber-colored non-vintage Premium Fine Muscat offers terrific aromas of brown sugar, molasses, and maple syrup, great persistence on the palate, and a tremendous finish. For the price, it’s a steal! These Australian treasures are fabulous to drink at the end of a meal. Moreover, once opened, they will hold for several weeks, sometimes longer. 94 Points; Robert Parker; Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate
This wine is nearly flawless. Fabulously perfumed as well as unctuously textured, it offers incredible notes of prunes, raisins, honey, molasses, roasted nuts, etc., etc. Australia continues to be a treasure trove for fortified, after-dinner wines. Once bottled, they do not change, and often age up to a decade where well stored. After opening, most will last for a week. This is one of the top wine discoveries of this year's tastings. Many consumers are going to be overjoyed with this offering. 97 Points; Robert Parker; Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate
Cloudwine's Top 12 Wines of 2011 Christmas Dozen