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Gentle Annie - Central Victoria

2010-06-19T17:53:00.000+10:00

Gentle Annie Wines - Dookie, Central Victoria

Time is such a wonderful thing. Sometimes there is not enough of it as we constantly try and figure how to accommodate everything. Time on the other hand, is a wines best friend...especially heroic wines built for the long haul. Central Victoria experienced very high summer temps in 2003. Resulting wines from the vintage were very good due to smaller berries size. Gentle Annie wines could not be touched a few years ago - drinking the '03's in 2010 seems a very different, yet very pleasurable experience.

To learn more about Gentle Annie visit our website by clicking here

James Squire Malt Runner + Stone & Wood

2010-06-19T14:36:00.002+10:00

Stories abound that beer consumption in Oz has reduced to 60 year lows. As a staunch independent retailer, we have seen a shift to quality rather than quantity. Mainstream beers are pretty much no-go while craft beer and fancy imports are all the go. I am certainly trying to buck the 60 year low trends, but we need more of us adventurous drinkers to raise the stats.

Two of the newest limited releases that hit our shelves and that back of our throats in a hurry are the James Squire Winter Release Malt Runner along with Stone & Wood's Stone Beer.

James Squire Malt Runner 345ml

This beer divided opinions in the household. Most good but a couple of drinkers thought it lacked some palate intensity. Still, it had enough palate weight with some infectious toffee, caramel and some sweet cherry flavours. It poured a very clean and vibrant dark ruby colour with a 1cm head that very quickly dissipated. Still a good beer...most likely would have presented itself better with a sweeter food.

Stone & Wood Stone Beer 500ml

Let's cut to the chase...this beer is the duck's nuts, the bees knees and the ants pants rolled into one. Firstly, approximately only 150 cases were made. Scarce..yes but if you find some, hunt it down. Brewed with the addition of piping hot rocks thrown into the mix, the beer gains a fantastic toffee and molten caramel character. This after the beer has poured a brilliant bronze/copper colour with a 1.5-2cm head. The toffee and caramel notes really come through with some fantastic length. It is a small batch beer hence its limited availability.

Marlborough...been, come and gone??

2010-03-18T12:40:00.001+11:00

While a blogger's humble opinion is just that, being in the heart of the industry we hear many things on the grapevine. A while back we heard that a prominent Marlborough winery had applied and receive a permit to dispose of millions of litres of 2009 Sauv Blanc into the ocean. We won't name the winery but 2009 was a vintage of extreme proportions in Marlborough. We see in store that many wineries are re-positioning themselves in a lower (sometimes substantially lower) price bracket in a bid to make way for the 2010 vintage which is also shaping up as a big one. Maybe it's time to rip up vines and consolidate. There is only so much Sauvignon Blanc that we can drink!

Bordeaux 2005

2010-03-11T23:04:00.008+11:00

I have read over and over the significance of the 2005 vintage in Bordeaux and took the plunge to not only stock some 2005's but after Melbourne's storm of the century, the family got together and tried a wine nestled in the middle of both Chateau Lafleur and Chateau Gazin) Pomerol and a 3rd Growth from St. Julien, Chateau Lagrange. Wine can be an expensive addiction especially when tackling old world wine which is why I don't drink too many of them too often.

Chateau Lafleur-Gazin 2005 (Pomerol)

It's typical blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc yielded a restrained and still tight wine even with about 8 hours exposed to air. Upon opening, a gorgeous nose of ripe plums, violets, blackberry and chocolate and stylish and fruity palate of plums pepper and a warm, ripe dark fruit finish. Tannins not as prevalent as in Chateau Lagrange.

Chateau Lafleur-Gazin 2005

Chateau Lagrange 2005 (St. Julien)

This was the standout on the night. A universal thumbs up from the entire crew. Spicy blackcurrants, whiffs of tobacco and cedar emanated from the Bordeaux Riedel glassware. It's poised and structure while not in the same class as the 1st growths were still direct, fine and precise. Keep in mind that its price over delivers and is probably more affordable too. It still needs plenty of time to blossom but such a wine drinks well now and oh...Sunday roast would be right on the money.

Chateau Lagrange 2005

Austrian?? Yes Please

2010-03-11T22:35:00.002+11:00

I have been one of those oenophiles who thought that the import wine world revolved predominantly around the glorious old world wines of France and Italy. I decided to branch out and have now fallen in love with German and to a greater extent, Austrian wines. I wasn't around (in the wine world that is) when the anti-freeze scandal threatened to kill the Austrian wine industry but what I see now are wines that I personally think could rival those memorable French Chablis, Montrachet's and Meursualt.

Austrian Whites Online

Future Uncertain?

2009-08-24T17:17:00.003+10:00

The predictions of a summer from 'Hell' for Victoria this year will most likely cause some panic among the wine industry over the coming months. The scarcity of winter rains so far will also be of some concern as stressed vines struggle to cope with little water and extreme temperatures this summer. We all cross our fingers that firstly, everyone's safety is our first concern but also, we get to experience an awesome 2010 vintage.

Liquor License Freeze

2009-08-24T16:54:00.005+10:00

Melbourne's world class restaurant and pub scene will stay as is at least for the next couple of years as competition will be halted as a result of Liquor Licensing Victoria freeze on new applications. With the recent and dare say, continuing violence culminating in last weekend's bashing of a police officer, Melbourne has been placed in the spotlight. We all enjoy our alcohol and without being too forward, a constant state of alcohol fuelled individuals will only lead to mass hysteria and ultimately an ever increasing violent aspect to our city. And yes - to shake ones head at such thuggery seems reasonable, I know that I will be one of many people who will appreciate the wonders of wine, beer and single malt whiskies (that's for me) among other beverages tonight in the confines of a relaxed environment...an environment that Melbourne seems to lack at the moment.