2005 LA RIOJA ALTA VIŇA ARANA RESERVA - STRAWBERRIES AND CREAM

Founded in 1890, La Rioja Alta is one of the Rioja region’s most traditional producers. It is one of a dwindling number of bodegas that matures its wines for an extended period in American oak bottles and in bottle prior to their release.

Viňa Arana is one of several wines in the La Rioja range, all of which are red. Primarily Tempranillo with a touch of Mazuelo (aka Carignan), it spends three years in American oak and a further two to three in bottle prior to release.

While some may be baulk at the use of American oak with Australian Shiraz and Cabernet, there is little doubt that it can work very well (when judiciously used) with Tempranillo, particularly Rioja. The 2005 incarnation of Viňa Arana delivers and immediately complex nose of spicy vanilla oak intermingled with plum and strawberry. The palate doesn’t disappoint, silky and suave, a model of creamy oak and bright plummy fruit.

This is the sort of wine that one won’t find anywhere else in the wine world. At around or just under $50 per bottle here in Australia, it remains a dead set bargain, particularly given that the current offering in this market is approaching a decade from vintage.

2005 LA RIOJA ALTA VIŇA ARANA
Producer: La Rioja Alta
Variety: Tempranillo et al
Vintage: 2005
Region: Rioja, Spain
Alcohol: 13.0%
Closure: Natural cork
Retail Price: $50.00
Date tasted: 9 August 2014

Tasting Note:
Deep ruby. Alluring and complex nose of sweet vanilla pod, coconut, strawberry, plum, cinnamon and nutmeg. Medium bodied, sauve and silky. Plum flows through to the palate together with vanillin oak and spice. Real flavour and intensity. Tannins make themselves known on the finish, suggesting a bright future ahead.
Score: 17.5+/20

2010 DALWHINNIE 'SOUTH WEST ROCKS' SHIRAZ + 'PINNACLE' SHIRAZ - KING PAIR

Dalwhinnie is the best producer in Victoria’s Pyrenees region, making a stylish Chardonnay, textbook Cabernet Sauvignon and some of Australia’s best Shiraz. Over the past three decades, Dalwhinnie has developed a house style that emphasises elegance and purity above all. Dalwhinnie Shiraz is at one elegant, polished and very fine, the epitome of premium Victorian Shiraz.

South West Rocks Shiraz and Pinnacle Shiraz are two relatively recent additions to the Dalwhinnie line-up. In contrast to the flagship Moonambel Shiraz, both are treated more like Pinot Noir from a winemaking perspective. The wines draw on separate estate-owned sites near the highest point in the Pyrenees.

It is an interesting exercise to look at the two side by side. South West Rocks is without a doubt the more feminine and delicate of the two; a degree lighter in alcohol and the bouquet is all about exotic florals and red fruits. This is a Shiraz for those seeking finesse.

Pinnacle Shiraz is altogether more brooding, powerful and dare I say, masculine, than South West Rocks. Slightly deeper in colour, it boasts a robust nose of asphalt and tar underlined by ground black pepper. There’s a nod toward the northern Rhône here, but it’s definitely more Hermitage than Côte Rotie.

2010 DALWHINNIE ‘SOUTH WEST ROCKS’ SHIRAZ
Producer: Dalwhinnie
Variety: Syrah/Shiraz
Vintage: 2010
Region: Pyrenees, Victoria
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screw cap
Retail Price: $90.00
Date tasted: 2 August 2014

Tasting Note:
Deep plum red. Attractive perfumed bouquet of dark cherry, plum, damson, liquorice, star anise, violet and lavender. Touch of mint. Medium bodied, sweet fruited and elegant. Supple and stylish – a very feminine style of Shiraz. Holds up well over a couple of days, which promises a good future ahead.
Score: 17.5/20

2010 DALWHINNIE ‘PINNACLE’ SHIRAZ
Producer: Dalwhinnie
Variety: Syrah/Shiraz
Vintage: 2010
Region: Pyrenees, Victoria
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screw cap
Retail Price: $90.00
Date tasted: 2 August 2014

Tasting Note:
Deep crimson. Bold masculine nose of asphalt, tar, blood plum, game and cola. Dry, full bodied, savoury dark berry-driven palate (plum, boysenberry), charcoal, lead pencil. Fine gravelly tannins carry the finish. Very upright and correct.
Score: 17+/20

2010 NGERINGA CHARDONNAY - I WANNA BE RICH

Ngeringa is a relatively young producer based near the summit of Mount Barker (not to be confused with Mount Barker in Western Australia’s Great Southern region) in the Adelaide Hills. What is now a vineyard was formerly used for growing herbs and flowers for premium cosmetics brand Jurlique.

Ngeringa is 100% biodynamic and boasts an eclectic range that includes usual suspects such as Chardonnay and Syrah, as well as a Nebbiolo and Vin Santo-styled sweet wine. The 2010 Chardonnay from Ngeringa holds up very well, especially for those who don’t mind a touch of ‘Old School’ richness and roundness in their Chardonnays.

Full bodied, and will noticeable but well integrated nutty oak, the wine is in the slot for current drinking. There are better Chardonnays out there, but this is a very satisfying drinking, especially when one is in the mood for something a touch richer and fuller.

2010 NGERINGA CHARDONNAY
Producer: Ngeringa
Variety: Chardonnay
Vintage: 2010
Region: Adelaide Hills, South Australia
Alcohol: 14.0% ABV
Closure: Screw cap
Retail Price: $40.00
Date tasted: 2 August 2014

Tasting Note:
Bright golden yellow. Open nose of nutty oak, peach/nectarine stonefruit. At the fuller side of medium bodied. Quite full and round – rich Chardonnay that has an almost ‘Old School’ feel about it. Stonefruit and grilled nuts (cashew, hazelnut). A nice match for fish pie. In the slot for current drinking and unlikely to improve further.
Score: 16/20