October 25, 2012

It started as a simple day, with fresh breathe of wind, sun and trip to work. The excited mounted – because I was heading to the NSW Top 40 Trade Tasting. It’s simple – all wineries that produce wine in New South Wales, Australia submit their what they think is a good example of what they do to be JUDGED. Out of all those…only 40 come in the Top 40. (Funny that…)

And the trophy winners are:

2012 Citibank NSW Wine Awards Trophy Winners

Citibank Wine of the Year – Hungerford Hill 2007 Epic Shiraz (Hunter Valley)

Best Sparkling – Courabyra Wines 2001 “805” Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier (Tumbarumba)
Twit: 01 Courabyra Wines 805 Sparkling – my new friend. $55. A steal! Tumbarumba, my xmas drinking 🙂

Best Young Riesling – Nick O’Leary 2012 Riesling (Canberra District) – personally I think Ravensworth is better but then that’s from over 600 Riesling judged from around Australia, and some Internationals at the International Riesling Challenge, held in Canberra. More on THAT trip later.
Twit: 12 Nick O’Leary Riesling – nose doesn’t quite translate to palate, expect month sweet. Good stuff tho. Go ACT Riesling!

NSW Department of Primary Industries Best Young Semillon – Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard 2012 “The Ridge” Semillon

Twit: 10 Audrey Wilkinson Semillon – plenty of develop drink now, not enough on palate to hook me

Best Young Dry White – Other Varieties – Berton Vineyards 2012 “Metal Label” Vermentino (Riverina)

Twit: 12 Berton Vineyards Vermentino – a good version from the main stream. Floral fruit musk sticks

Longfellows Insurance Best Young Chardonnay – Pepper Tree Wines 2011 “Venus Block” Reserve Chardonnay (Orange)

Twit: 11 Pepper Tree Orange Chardonnay – subtle fresh tropics and citrus. Diverting.

Best Mature Dry White – Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard 2006 Museum Reserve Semillon (Hunter Valley)

Twit: 06 Audrey Wilkinson Museum Semillon – so fresh, good develop, depth, and some good secondary characters. Yum!

Wine Odyssey Best Young Pinot Noir – Tertini Wines 2009 Reserve Pinot Noir (Southern Highlands)

Twit: 09 Tertini Res Pinot – game cherry and match!

AMCOR Stelvin Best Young Shiraz – Tallavera Grove 2011 Shiraz (Hunter Valley)

Twit: 11 Talavera Grove Hunter Shiraz – its playing hide and seek with me. Beguiling. Fruity. Explosive mouthfeel – smooth as a baby’s bottom!

Classic Oak Best Young Dry Red – Other Varieties – Skimstone 2011 Barbera (Mudgee)

Twit: 11 Skimstone Mudgee Barbera – sex. Date tonight? Bring this. That’s the nose, palate is more subtle. Find a bottle and claim it.

CCL Labels Best Mature Dry Red – Hungerford Hill 2007 Epic Shiraz (Hunter Valley)

Twit: 07 Hungerford The Epic Shiraz – just like the name says, epic. Only if you dare, I’d like to sit back now 😉

Best Sweet White – De Bortoli 2008 Deen De Bortoli Botrytis Semillon (Riverina) – now I didn’t try it at the show but I have tried this little beauty earlier – impressive.

My raving twits of the day are in their allocated positions, below are the remainder that filled out the Top 40…and tell you what, I have some favourites!

WHITES

11 Artemis Riesling – curious beast, its warming and refreshing in one. Good texture. Can’t wait for the Pinot, good times.

12 Orange Highland Wines Sauvignon Blanc – easy drink style, no cat pee.

12 Toppers Mountain Gerwurz – musky, turkish delight, smooth and just right.

06 Tyrells HVD Semillon – interesting. Bring food. Go picnic. Bring this

12 Tulloch Vineyrd Select Semillon – grassy. Drinks well

12 Thomas Wines Braemore Semillon – subtle, deeper feelings. More for the connoisseur of good young Sems

12! Thomas Wines OC Semillon – yes yes yes – think when Harry Met Sally scene. No faking

07 Pokolbin Estate Riesling – yes, frm the Hunter. And I don’t knw why they dnt do more of it! Beautiful.

07 McLeish Estate Semillon – I’m raving I haven’t found this before. Has everything I’ve ever wanted in a Sem. Personality, zing, love + sun

11 McLeish Estate Semillon – kiwi? A lively one this, there’s a future and its bright as a spark. Keep an eye out.

10 Leogate Semillon – almost reminds me of watermelon on nose! Another one for a hot date, would stand up to wasabi!

09 Gartleman Semillon – good staple to have on hand, zesty! Austerer style

09 First Creek Reserve Semillon – sings to me in frm the glass and on palate. New winemaker doing big moves!

11 Ascella Chardonnay (biodynamic) – complex, funky w personality and all for $20RRP! Gentle French oak, grab it if ur a Charddy lover!!

REDS

11 de iuliis the stephen – more grwn up sweeter fruit. It wants to be mine. Nice choc hit to the back.

11 de iuliis shiraz – oh my. I’m getting happy, just the way I like it and only $25 RRP! Lovely choc fruit silk and balance

11 Pepper Tree Coquun Hunter Shiraz – almost regal,black cherry finish. Good balance. Drink slowly.

11 Tyrells Hunter Shiraz Cab – more. Perfumed. Eucalypt and mint. Tight tannins.

10 Tyrells Vat 8 Hunter Hilltops Shiraz Cab – phew! – subtle minx

10 Grove Estate Nebiolo – subtle, elegant and a mystery that invites you in for starts and seconds.

08 Logan Cab Merlot – dusky sunset in a glass. Bitey tannin sum alco heat but good fruit

10 Tertini Pinot – more subtle, chalky, needs help with food