Mixing it up a bit – $10 – $35 wines, tasted blind
Reg and I thought we’d throw a few wines together and ask the guys to guess what they were, where they came from and how much they cost – $10, 15 or $25+. The consensus at the end of the evening was that Kemenys’ Devil’s Ridge range offers great value on the whole, along with some of the Hidden Labels.
What I hadn’t realised is how many of these wines hailed from Margaret River, which suggests one of two things: one, there’s a surplus of grapes in the arera; two, the guys over there are smart enough to sell their declassified wine under a cleanskin label rather than try to flog it through the big retailers.
Hidden Label Central Ranges Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2011 – $8
This was a cheerful cheapie with an abrupt finish, not especially varietal but easy drinking for the money. The guys guessed about $10. I suspect it’s made by the guys at Rolling.
Devil’s Ridge Block 16 Polish Riesling 2012 – $10
I liked this but some of the guys thought it was a bit short, and one of them thought it was sweet. General consensus was that the price would be around $15. It comes from the Wilsons at Polish Hill River.
Tertini Southern Highlands Riesling 2008 – $32 at Kemenys
This was probably the star of the evening. That wasn’t a surprise to some of us since the 2008 Tertini Riesling had won best Riesling, best dry white wine and best wine of show at the 2012 Australian Highlands Wine Show. At the same show, the 2009 Tertini Pinot Noir won best Pinot Noir and best red wine of show. We had this wine at The Eschalot restaurant in Berrima a year or 2 ago, and it was one of the best Australian Pinots we’ve had, period.
Hidden Label Margaret River Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2011 – $13
Opinions were divided on this wine – I think it’s a good food wine, even with cheeses. It’s a big wine with a lot of flavour, perhaps a touch unsubtle. The Semillon seems to dominate. The guys guessed $15 mostly.
Devil’s Ridge Block 7 Margaret River Chardonnay 2012 – $10
Pretty fair unoaked Chardy for the money, we felt. The group got the price right as well.
Hidden Label Margaret River Chardonnay 2011 – $13
This was much admired, and some of the guys thought it was a much more expensive Chardy. It has that kind of feel about it but sadly it’s dropped off Kemenys’ site in the last few weeks. Here’s a list of all the current Hidden Labels https://www.kemenys.com/go.jsp#!class=Product&spn=1095455
Voyager Estate Chardonnay 2009 – $35 at Winestar
This was popular until the price was revealed. Rich Chardy with a generous disposition and flavours in the apricot spectrum (spicy oak?). Bit flabby on the finish too, in my view.
Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2012 – $30
Blind tastings can be cruel. The guys thought this was a cheap Kiwi Savvy, and I have to admit that it tasted like one. Goes to show, doesn’t it? The current issue of Gourmet Traveller Wine features a tasting of quality Savvies, where the Cloudy Bay 2012 scores 92 points and 4 stars. I don’t think any of us would give it more than 89, frankly. If you want to check for yourself, MyCellars has some stock left.
I love occasions like this, when the premise of this website is tested and proven correct. The judges gave the Greywacke 2012 95 points and 5 stars –which matches our rating – and you can buy the wine at MyCellars for $23. This is a benchmark with true finesse.
Devil’s Ridge Block 15 Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 – $10
The guys didn’t get too excited about this wine, and guessed that it was close to $10. I think it’s better than they do but it’s an elegant red and gets easily swamped by rich wines like the next one.
Devil’s Ridge Block 4 Margaret River Cabernet Merlot 2011 – $10
Rich, ripe and plush red, truly easy on the gums, slurpable, just a joy to drink and a bargain – we all agreed on that. Most of us thought it was much dearer.
Edi Keber Collio Bianco, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
Andrew opened this to get us in the mood, but I was getting the blind bottles ready and paying scant attention. Can’t find where you can buy it either – Andrew, can you fill in the blanks, please?
Rioja Berberana Gran Reserva 2005 Carta de Oro – $14 at Dan M’s
This wasn’t a popular wine, different yes but not in a good way. Some rough edges, hint of a mousy taste, maybe some cork taint. Gran Reserva seemed a bit far-fetched. Most guessed $10.
Hidden Label McLaren Vale Merlot 2011 – $12
The guys didn’t like this as much as I did. Again, it’s a fairly subtle, elegant wine that’s easily swamped by bigger ones. The wine is Richard Hamilton Merlot 2011, which gets 90 points in the new release reviews at Gourmet Traveller Wine – bottom line: ‘This has body, depth and interest … a very good wine.’
Paracombe The Reuben 2009 – $21 at Dan M’s
It’s a Bordeaux blend but on the big and rich and juicy side. Nice flavours and complexity, but ‘fluffy’ in its structure (reminded me of Mount Langi Cliff Edge). Won all kinds of bling at last year’s Adelaide show. The guys thought it was pretty good, and most guessed the price at close to $25.
