a girl and a glass

Quintessa is in the heart of Nappa Valley, in Rutherford.  It's a very pretty part of the world, not one I get to frequent often but I always enjoy it when I do.  On this occasion it was purely luck that brought me to their vineyard for tasting and a visit.  It was back in 2007 and I was with a colleague driving around Nappa.  We saw the sign and just drove up.  Typically they don't allow walk ins - you have to book in advance for a tasting experience.  Very different to most Australian vineyards.  We got lucky and were able to have a modified experience with just a tasting.  Still nothing there is 'just a tasting'.  It's a full on seated experience with decanted wines & cheeses. They really go all out to make it enjoyable.   Quintessa is unusual.  They have 5 varietals that grow on the estate - Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Carmenere. The wine is a blend that can include all or some of these and is different year on yea

I don't get up to the Hunter Valley very often but when I do I take it as an opportunity to try some different cellar doors and wines that I usually drink.  Last year I made it to David Hook Wines cellar door in Pokolbin.  We tried a few wines and brought a few more back.  One of those is the de novo bianco 2011 which we just cracked open tonight to eat with our grilled barramundi. The de novo biano is a blend of 4 grapes - Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Riesling.  The nose is very delicate - at least is was for me tonight - with just a few hints of orange blossom.  The palate is light but more robust and rich than a Sauvignon Blanc.  The taste is smooth, maybe a hint of apricot or similar stone fruit.  A hint of spice, but nothing overwhelming and nothing too strong to overpower any food you're eating.  All in all a good choice for our fish tonight. At around $30 a bottle it might not be you're every day quaffer but it's something to bring around

I've reviewed wines from d'Arenberg or Darries before .  They are a bit of a go to staple in our house hold at times.  Easy drink, accessible, good prices, and consistent in taste.  What's not to love.   Today I'm drinking The High Trellis Cabernet Sauvignon .  Darries has several ranges of wine - The Stump Jump at the value end (under $15 a bottle and a great drink) all the way through to the premium single vineyard drops at around $100 a bottle.  If you can't find a wine to suit both your taste and budget you may as will stop drinking wine.  I've actually tried a lot of their wine and really value both the premium wines and the value wines.  It's rare for me to feel that way about a winery, but I don't think they've compromised on quality with any thing they are producing - which is great.   The High Trellis Cab Sauv is a good drop.  The nose is quite fruity with lots of blackberry.  The colour is rich cherry with lots of purple hu

Today I'm talking about another local Cab Sauv.... well local to me that is.  RidgeView is in the Hunter Valley just a little over 1.5 hours north of Sydney.  I've got to admit I don't get up there very often, but it's always fun to get to visit somewhere new when you do.  I've written about my visit to RidgeView before .  One of the things I enjoyed about our visit was how relaxed and casual the staff were.  They were friendly and relaxed - which is not something you always get at every Hunter Valley cellar door. They also don't take themselves too seriously as you can see by the way they've brought humour to their day to day & their labels.  (Love that "Effen Hill") So on to the wine.... Well as the label says above the colour is a very deep purple red.  There is definitely lots of berry fruit reflected in both the colour and the nose.  Taste wise its a good robust wine.    Berries as you would expect, but not too over powering.

To kick of the month of Cab Sauv I thought I'd start with something close to home - from the Hunter Valley - de iuliis Winery .  This is a winery I'd never been too before last year, but I really enjoyed my visit and have enjoyed all the wines I've tasted there.  We only tasted 3 or 4 wines on our visit but we came home with the Cab Sauv and the Chardonnay. The Cab Sauv is a beautiful cherry colour in the glass.  It's smells like black currents and red berries but isn't overwhelming with fruit.  The taste was smooth - but I'd like to try it again in a few years and see how it goes after laying it down for a little longer.  Right now it's drinking well - plenty of red berry flavours that you would expect from both the smell and colour, and lots of tanins.  It's got a long smooth finish which is enjoyable.  At only $18 a bottle it's a pretty good deal and I'd be happy coming home to a glass of it any night this winter.  In fact I might po

A new month calls for a new flavour of the month.  In honour of the colder weather and the fact that I just want to curl up on the couch with a glass of red I've decided that July is the month for Cabernet Sauvignon.  Or as us Aussies like to say Cab Sauv. Cheers Sally