Huon Hooke believes ‘Frankland Estate has emerged as one of the great vineyards in Australia’ Imagine leaving Perth and driving south east for 3.5 hours with nothing but scrub through ‘towns’ you cannot pronounce eventually travelling through Kojonup, population 878, about the only major town in outback WA. You think your lost, in the middleContinue reading “Frankland Estate Wines- another undiscovered gem from West Australia.”
Tag Archives: Chardonnay
Just a couple of really interesting wines I’ve tasted recently.
In my day job I get to taste some really interesting wines, some great, some OK, and some that just make me smile from the first sip. These are three of them. Paul Hobbs is the man behind this impressive Chardonnay made from predominately estate-grown fruit totally from Sonoma Coast and Sonoma County- two wineContinue reading “Just a couple of really interesting wines I’ve tasted recently.”
From the Cellar … Rhys Estate Vineyards
The driving force behind Rhys Estate is to make Pinots and Chardonnays that are unique and expressive of the chosen vineyard sites. All of the sites are selected for their distinctive soil and the growing climate spanning 6 different sites in the Santa Cruz Mountains region and 1 in Anderson Valley. Their Skyline Vineyard hasContinue reading “From the Cellar … Rhys Estate Vineyards”
Penfolds Bin 144 Yattarna Chardonnay 2019- an exceptional Chardonnay of sophistication, elegance, and balance.
Upon its initial release in 1998 (then the 1995 vintage) it was presented to the world as the “White Grange” making the front page of Australia’s national newspapers. A first to this day. “Yattarna reflects Penfolds patience and continued commitment to its original goal, its very name being drawn from the local indigenous language,Continue reading “Penfolds Bin 144 Yattarna Chardonnay 2019- an exceptional Chardonnay of sophistication, elegance, and balance.”
Giant Steps Single Vineyard Chardonnays- amazing! The Vineyard was named after John Coltrane’s classic jazz album.
On reflection, its more a New Australian leaning- these wines reflect the direction that higher end Chardonnays in Australia are headed. Those of you that know me, know that I love the Giant Steps wines. Everything they have released in the last few years have been spectacular reflecting the place, the quality of the vinesContinue reading “Giant Steps Single Vineyard Chardonnays- amazing! The Vineyard was named after John Coltrane’s classic jazz album.”
Croatian Wines- Part 1
I was first introduced to Croatian Wines in 1996 when I was the Portfolio Manager for a company who was the sole importer and distributor of Croatian Wines into Australia. I was super impressed and surprised at just how good these wines were, and still are today. Like many other European countries, wine hasContinue reading “Croatian Wines- Part 1”
Four Exceptional Releases from Downunder.
Its this time of the year that I love, despite it being cold and winter approaching. You ask why, glad you asked, new vintage releases from Australia, as well as elsewhere land on my desk ensuring weeks of tasting awesome wine. Yalumba is the oldest family-owned winery in Australia and was started by Samuel Smith,Continue reading “Four Exceptional Releases from Downunder.”
Vine to Table 