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Tasting Notes - a very cheap (but good) mixed dozen

Matthew Jukes and Tyson Stelzer, authors of Taste Food and Wine 2008

If you're feeling the financial pinch rest assured the quality of your wine doesn't need to suffer. From Taste Food and Wine 2009 we present a very cheap mixed dozen.

Pepperton Estate Goodwyn Brut Cuvée     NV    $8.00
This wine is as far removed as you can imagine from the recipe on the tin. The Riverina is categorically not the source for top-flight sparkling wine fruit and Semillon has never, to our knowledge, made it into a bottle of Champagne. But, bloody hell, this wine is astoundingly attractive, and for this reason it stands shoulder to shoulder with wines with much more pedigree but at the end of the day this book is called “Taste” and not “Label Shagger,” and this is why it has earned its place.    

Oxford Landing Sauvignon Blanc     2008    $8.00   
Our cheapest white wine this year is absolutely bloody amazing, bearing in mind that it’s made from a grape variety that Australia ought not to be this good at. If you did a blind tasting of this variety with a Frog and a Kiwi it would take on all-comers with its spicy lemon and lime fruit flavours and if you mention the price, the frog and the kiwi would keel over, giving us the ideal opportunity to cook up a storm. Anyone for frogs legs and kiwi à l’orange? Food and wine matching at its best!   

Pepperton Estate Goodwyn Shiraz Cabernet     2007    $8.00   
Two jokes in one wine – we are bursting at the seams, but Pepper Town is a Good Wine and true to its name there is a superb volley of pepper and red fruit on the nose and a darker, blueberry, cherry and summer pudding palate to back it all up. There is nothing complex going on here, after all it’s not called Cornucopiaville Awesomegear Shiraz Cabernet – but for eight bucks you get very good value for money and a wine that we would happily pour for any Vinoyawn Boreonandon.   

Jacob’s Creek Classic Sauvignon Blanc     2008    $10.00   
With less tropical fruit and more pointy citrus than the Oxford Landing, this wine draws its energy from its herbal minerality as opposed to its exotic fruitiness. With this in mind, it’s a more European-shaped Sauvignon Blanc which will appeal to a more classically-shaped set of taste buds. The highlight here is the beautiful mineral acidity on the finish. Fine and textured, the fruit is subtle and elegant. The Jacob’s Creek Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2008 is more serious with great length and zesty lime fruit and the same texture but with the volume turned up on its minerality.

Jacob’s Creek Cabernet Merlot     2006    $10.00   
Don't get label prejudiced about this wine because this is a very tight JC that deserves to be treated like a much grander wine. Be sure to give it a decent decant. You can even cellar it for a year or two with confidence to soften its dusty tannins and allow its superb blueberry fruit to loosen up.   

McWilliam’s Hanwood Estate Cabernet Sauvignon     2007    $10.00
This wine is so readily available that you might be mistaken into thinking that it is from a massive multinational company, but in fact it isn't. The McWilliams squad is one of the most articulate and passionate we have met, with each of their divisions headed up by true experts in their fields. In a difficult vintage like 2007, this level of skill and determination really shines through, lifting this pure, accurate expression of Cabernet to one of the best under this label in years. If you're used to buying in sub-$10 land, an extra couple of bucks for this wine is be the best investment you could make.   

Jacob’s Creek Grenache Shiraz     2007    $10.00
In the 2007 vintage this Grenache Shiraz was a star performer for JC and if you haven't tried this combo before, then you will be amazed at the result. It's spicy and red-fruited with savoury herbs and fresh raspberries all jostling for attention. Hands in the air, who wants some more?

Lindemans Bin 40 Merlot    2007    $10.00   
It is desperately difficult to make good Merlot at any price and this cheeky little entry level red from the mighty Lindemans operation is a bloody good effort. Plummy and immediately engaging, this is the sort of wine that shouts "Australia" from the rooftops and pleases experts and novices alike. There needs to be a lot more wine like this flowing down the pipeline in order that you keep your enemies and bay and your fans close to your bosom.

Mike Press Adelaide Hills Cabernet Sauvignon     2007    $11.00   
Since introducing Mike Press reds to my (Tyson's) friends last year he has single-handedly changed their wine buying habits. Not only have his Shiraz and Cabernet become their house reds of choice, but they now compare every other red wine prospect under $25 with these wines - and invariably conclude that his wines trump everything up to even twice the price. When it came time for the release of the challenging 2007 vintage there was a little apprehension that their favourite wine supplier might temporarily run dry, but they need not have doubted the talented Mr Press. When the samples arrived and we lined them up against last years' wines, the group vote went to the 2007s. The exuberant Cabernet is built like a much more expensive wine. It demands a decent decant - and preferably a few years in the cellar. Thanks Mike, you will keep your adoring fans delighted for yet another year.

Mike Press Wines Adelaide Hills Shiraz     2007    $11.00   
We have always known that Mike Press has a touch of the dark side about him and it is all on show here in this epic, budget stunner. We tasted it and then decanted it and then went back to this wine ten or more times, and on each occasion it grew and grew, stretching out and making the most of its release from its glass cell. This is an absolutely beautiful wine with five glorious years ahead of it and we are in awe of its swarthy fruit and massively impressive stance. Stock your cellar and make this your house wine of choice.       

Mike Press Wines Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc     2008    $11.00
Just when we had firmly placed Mike Press into a red winemaker’s box, he came bursting forth with a bottle of Sauvignon in his hand and a cheeky grin on his face and promptly poured a large glass for everyone in attendance. All were amazed at the sheer class of the wine, erupting with vibrant grapefruit flavours and spicy lemons. This unlikely hero has pulled a delightfully lively Sauvignon from his ever-expanding box of tricks. And who knows what might emerge from it next year?   

McPherson Cabernet Sauvignon     2007    $11.00   
The whole range of McPherson reds are surprisingly juicy and accurate. Each one nails the character of the grape while maintaining an enthusiastic style. This is a friendly Cabernet that comes up and says hello with its crunchy, fresh blackcurrant fruits. You'll be more than happy for it to stick around and chat for a while, too.           
                                                       

Reproduced with permission. © Copyright Matthew Jukes and Tyson Stelzer 2008

VisitVineyards.com Members can purchase Taste Food and Wine 2009 from our online partner Seekbooks at a 12.5% discount, postage and handling extra.

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