- Your Hunter Valley Magazine
Summer Lovin' Wines
Make your Summer even more sensational by treating yourself to a whole new world of wine with delicious alternative varietals you are guaranteed to love - here are our top picks! Read more about Summer wines here.
WANDIN ESTATE - Wandin Hunter Valley 2020 Rosé – $25
From the challenges of 2020 comes this truly special provence style Rosé made from a small parcel of quality Shiraz grown on the estate.
TASTING Light and bright salmon pink which has a luminous rose gold hue in the right light. Delicate aromas of raspberry and an underlying subtle rose petal bouquet. Perfumed and abundant, a raspberry fruit lift carries through to the textured palate and ends with a generous refreshing finish.
FOOD MATCH Perfect with any charcuterie and good friends.
CELLARING ‘Belle Nouveau’ – beautiful new!
IRON GATE ESTATE - 2019 Hunter Valley Verdelho – $25
Winestate Magazine May/June 2020 – 5 stars and Top of Class rating in the “Best of NSW Wines” tasting category.
Winestate Magazine Best Of the Best Dec/Jan 2020 – Runner-up status in the “Alternative White Wine of the Year” category.
The hot and dry drought conditions experienced in the 2019 vintage meant that the grapes were picked a week earlier than the average. The grapes were harvested at a lower Baumé to retain the acid crispness and yet still retain the lovely fruit salad flavours associated with the variety.
TASTING The wine is light straw in colour with green tints. The bouquet is reminiscent of melon, passionfruit and pineapple aromas that leads to a palate full of succulent passionfruit and confectionery flavours that have a refreshingly dry, sherbet finish.
FOOD MATCH This wine will go well with seafood dishes such as sushi, grilled tuna steaks and salmon or shellfish. It will also complement spiced Asian dishes or enjoyed by itself as an aperitif.
CELLARING 2–5 years.
MISTLETOE WINES - 2019 Home Vineyard Semillon – $24
Another high-quality off-dry Semillon from the Mistletoe Home Vineyard. The fruit is hand-harvested from low cropped 25-year old vines, and cold-fermented without any oak influence.
TASTING Fermentation was halted at 7 grams per litre residual sweetness and the wine was bottled early to retain the crisp acidity and lemony grapefruit characters typical of this vineyard.
FOOD MATCH An ideal luncheon wine, and perfect with freshly shucked oysters or cooked prawns.
CELLARING Drink now or cellar with confidence to 2028.
KRINKLEWOOD ESTATE - 2018 Blanc de Blanc – $40
This elegant sparkling Chardonnay was made in the classic Méthod Traditionnelle and underwent secondary fermentation in the bottle with a minimum of 24 months of lees contact.
TASTING This wine displays beautiful aromatic complexity of green apple, ripe grapefruit and citrus blossom. The palate shows a subtle combination of structure, length and vivacity with the taste of pear, brioche and a lovely crisp finish.
FOOD MATCH Fresh seafood, white meat and cheese.
CELLARING Up to 5 years.
WINMARK WINES - 2019 Rusty’s Run Chardonnay – $32
With a rich viticultural history dating back to 1972, the former Pooles Rock property is enjoying a revival like no other. With a team of winemaking and viticultural experts, the vineyard is once again producing premium Chardonnay.
TASTING The wine expresses peach and citrus notes. The fruit was harvested at night and following initial oak fermentation was matured in stainless steel until its release in October 2019. The subtle oak handling emphasises elegance and a crisp dry finish.
FOOD MATCH One of the great things about Chardonnay, is that it is very versatile throughout all seasons. However it is certainly best enjoyed with great food and great company!
CELLARING It is drinking beautifully now and can be cellared for up to 5 years.
TALITS ESTATE - 2013 Blanc de Blanc – $40
This Méthode Traditionnelle wine is made entirely from 40 year old Chardonnay vines. The wine underwent secondary fermentation in the bottle and was aged on lees for 7 years before riddling and disgorge – A Votre Santé (cheers!)
TASTING This Blanc de Blancs is fresh and lively with the palate displaying citrus, green apple and grapefruit characters with some yeasty overtones. It has a creamy mousse, a fine elegant bead and a crisp long finish.
FOOD MATCH Perfect with oysters and caviar as they match the intensity and freshness of the wine. It will also match well with crab and lobsters (they’re going for a bargain this Summer).
CELLARING A beautifully elegant vintage wine ready for drinking now as it has already been gracefully aged.
