2015 BODEGAS EXOPTO ‘BOZETO DE EXOPTO’ RIOJA ROSADO - STRAWBERRY FIELDS FOREVER

The Spaniard’s are among the biggest producers and consumers of rose wine. It comes of little surprise, therefore, that they’re pretty good at fashioning very drinkable expressions of the style. This example, from Bodegas Exopto delivers pretty much all one could want from the rose. It is bright and fresh, with just a tiny bit of fruit sweetness up-front.

Delicate red fruits carry the palate, which is lively and fresh. This is the sort of wine that has the words ‘Drink Me’ writ large on the label. Sadly, this particular bottle was emptied all too quickly. Provence rose might be king, but Spain has plenty offer when it comes to pink wine.

2015 BODEGAS EXOPTO ‘BOZETO DE EXOPTO’ RIOJA ROSADO
Producer: Bodegas Exopto
Variety: Tempranillo, Garnacha
Region: Rioja, Spain
ABV: 13.0%
Closure: Screw cap
Retail Price: $25.00
Date tasted: 9 October 2016

Tasting Note:
Pale strawberry pink. Attractive nose of cranberry, strawberry and cherry. Medium bodied, touch of fruit sweetness upfront is followed by a panoply of delicate summer berries. Very fresh, lively and life-affirming. Not that complex, but dangerously drinkable.
Score: 16/20

2015 OCEAN EIGHT PINOT GRIS - FADE TO GRIS

By way of introduction it is worth mentioning that yours truly and Pinot Gris/Grigio are not the best of friends. Frankly, one finds all to many of this a la mode variety to be as dull as dishwater unless that is, the wine in question happens to be a lusciously sweet example from one of the best producers in Alsace.

It is fair to say that the Mornington Peninsula has established a strong name for itself in the Pinot Gris stakes, names such as T’Gallant, Quealy and Paradigm Hill all being noteworthy producers. On evidence of this bottle, the Aylwards of Ocean Eight should be added to the list. By the end of this bottle, one was just about sold on the virtues of Pinot Gris.

This particular wine displays the signature aromatics of Pinot Gris and its soft texture. Fermented to the point of being bone dry, a citrusy twist on the finish lends a pleasant twang to the finish that gives it a vibrancy lacking in so many examples of the grape.

2015 OCEAN EIGHT PINOT GRIS
Producer: Ocean Eight
Variety: Pinot Gris/Grigio
Region: Mornington Peninsula, Victoria
ABV: 13.0%
Closure: Screw cap
Retail Price: $35.00
Date tasted: 7 October 2016

Tasting Note:
Bright coppery yellow in appearance. Lifted, aromatic nose of pear, red apple/apple blossom and musk, hint of background spice. Dry, mid-weight in body, lovely texture on the palate. In terms of fruit profile, the wine is straight from the apple/pear orchard, a twist of lemon citrus on the finish lending freshness. Top notch Pinot Gris.
Score: 16.5+/20

2014 ARTUKE ‘PIES NEGROS’ RIOJA - SHUFFLE YOUR FEET

Artuke is a relatively small Rioja producer farming 22 hectares on the banks of the River Ebro in Rioja Alavesa. ‘Pies Negros’ aka ‘black feet’ is a traditionally vinified blend of Tempranillo (90%) and Graciano (10%) that sees 14 months maturation in barrel.

Stylistically, it is an attractive, easy drinking style of entry level Rioja that is made for contemporary Mediterranean cuisine.

2014 ARTUKE ‘PIES NEGROS’ RIOJA
Producer: Bodegas y Vinedos Artuke
Variety: Tempranillo et al
Region: Rioja, Spain
ABV: 14.0%
Closure: Natural cork
Retail Price: $30.00
Date tasted: 21 September 2016

Tasting Note:
Bright cherry red. Bright nose of black cherry, raspberry and sarsaparilla. Medium bodied, the nose flows through to the palate with is medium in body, dry and savoury. Well made and easy going, just what one wants from this sort of wine. Made for tapas fare!
Score: 16/20

2015 FIEGL ‘VILLA DUGO’ MALVASIA BIANCO - HIGH AND DRY

Fiegl’s ‘Villa Dugo’ range is a well priced selection of attractively packaged wines from Italy’s north-east. While the Pinot Grigio is the powerhouse of the white wines, the Malvasia is pretty decent stuff too.

Light in bodied, body dry and fresh, this is an uncomplicated wine that has one hankering for sunshine. Crisp, pure and steely, it’s not particularly complex or intellectually engaging, but there’s plenty to like with its vibrant persona. Would make a great picnic wine.

2015 FIEGL ‘VILLA DUGO’ MALVASIA BIANCO
Producer: Fiegl
Variety: Malvasia
Region: Friuli, Italy
ABV: 12.5%
Closure: Screw cap
Retail Price: $20.00
Date tasted: 29 September 2016

Tasting Note:
Pale silvery yellow in appearance. Straightforward nose of green apples and lemon/lime. Dry, medium bodied, steely, fresh and vibrant. Very much in the crab apple/lemon citrus realm. The sort of wine that demands company, a frivolous state of mind and a warm sunny day.
Score: 15/20

2009 BOX GROVE VINEYARD ROUSSANNE - SUBSTITUTE

Given its ability to retain acidity when grown in warm climates, you’d think Roussanne would be the white grape variety of choice in southern Australia’s Mediterranean climate. Although we see the odd blend of Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier, single varietal Roussanne is thin on the ground.

While it is true that Rhone white varietals can be a hard sell, it is equally true that Roussanne, when done well, is absolutely delicious. Such is the case with this example from Box Grove Vineyard in central Victoria. From the first sniff to the last glass it is textbook Roussanne. The fact that it has the benefit of several years in bottle is an added bonus. Chardonnay drinkers take note – give Roussanne a try!

2009 BOX GROVE VINEYARD ROUSSANNE
Producer: Box Grove Vineyard
Variety: Roussanne
Region: Nagambie Lakes, Victoria
ABV: 13.5%
Closure: Screw cap
Retail Price: $30.00
Date tasted: 23 September 2016

Tasting Note:
Bright golden yellow in appearance. Clean nose of Beurre Bosch pear, white nectarine, cantaloupe and grilled cashew, slightly honeyed. Dry, medium bodied, round, nice pillowy texture. Prototypical Roussanne that is showing the benefit of a few years bottle age. Delicious and a great alternative for Chardonnay at the dinner table.
Score: 16.5/20

2014 BODEGAS EXOPTO 'BOZETO DE EXOPTO' RIOJA - ORIGINAL

Bodegas Exopto is one of the leading vanguard of new Rioja producers styling wines that are true to their place of origin and aren’t tied by the binds of oak maturation that have traditionally dominated the region’s classification system.

To quote proprietor and vigneron Tom Puyaubert, ‘my wines are made in the vineyard, not in the barrel!’ Bozeto de Exopto is a wonderful expression of Tom’s philosophy. He uitilises a high proportion of Garnach and ages the wine in seasoned wood.

The result is a Riojan take on a Cotes du Rhone, if you will, and it works extremely well. More please!

2014 BODEGAS EXOPTO 'BOZETO DE EXOPTO' RIOJA
Producer: Bodegas Exopto
Variety: Tempranillo et al
Region: Rioja, Spain
ABV: 13.5%
Closure: Screw cap
Retail Price: $25.00
Date tasted: 1 October 2016

Tasting Note:
Bright ruby red. Attractive nose of black cherry, raspberry and cherry cola. Dry, medium bodied, round, soft and gently spicy. Mid-weight and vibrant. A Spanish take on Cotes du Rhone, if there is such a thing.
Score: 16/20