Spitting: Optional
Region: King Valley, Victoria
Overview: Italian and Spanish varieties are relatively new to Australia and while some regions are still finding their feet with how to handle these varieties the King Valley has well and truly mastered, conquered and are the trail blazers of traditional Italian style wines here in Australia. Below are some of the highlights that I recently tasted while visiting the King Valley:
Tasting notes:
Chrismont La Zona Prosecco NV: Fresh nose and fruit driven palate, a lovely powdery texture with characters of almond and fennel. 17.5/20
$22/bottle
Chrismont La Zona Pinot Gris 2012: Chrismont have a crack at making both styles from this variety, Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris, what I like is that both are definitely in the traditional styles. This Gris has a nice custard apple characters on both the nose and palate, a great creamy mouth feel and clean acid. 16.5/20
$26/bottle
Chrismont La Zona Tempranillo 2011: Soft, medium bodied wine, lovey notes of cherry cola and white pepper. Gentle tannins round out this wine. 16/20
$26/bottle
Sam Miranda Sparkling Shiraz/Durif 2008: Some aged tones and aldehyde on the nose. A palate of spice and plum. A nice juiciness, this would make a great BBQ wine. 16/20
$35/bottle
Sam Miranda Riesling 2008: A good aged Riesling to be had here. Quite toasty on the nose with characters of lemon and kerosene on the palate. 16/20
$20/bottle
Sam Miranda Mothers Little Helper Sangiovese/Shiraz 2010: An interesting blend, smoky overtones with characters of black olive and crushed herbs. 16.5/20
$25/bottle
Dal Zotto Pucino Prosecco NV: Super dry and elegant. Talc and white flower characters with a clean, finish and linear acidity. 17.5/20
$18.50/bottle
Dal Zotto Pinot Grigio 2012: Custard apple on the nose and palate with additional flavours of pear and almonds. Lovely freshness and texture with a lingering acidity. 16/20
$22/bottle
Dal Zotto L’immigrante Barbera 2008: This wine just about wins me over by default just it retains those distinct varietal characters of Barbera whilst also showcasing the winemaker’s finesse. Violets, blueberry and cola upfront and in your face but supported by vanillin oak. 17.5/20
$85/bottle
Pizzini Verduzzo 2012: Creamy, apple characters with an interesting flintiness and talc on the finish. 16.5/20
$22/bottle
Pizzini Rosetta 2012: This rosé has lifted characters of raspberries and confectionary but crisp and dry on the finish. 16/20
$17.50/bottle.
Pizzini Il Barone 2009: Quite juicy for the age, cassis, plum, blackberry, black olives and crushed herbs with nice oak tones of pencil shavings and cedar. 18/20
$45/bottle
Final Say: Forget Game of Thrones, make yourself King and give this great region a visit.
For any questions or feedback feel free to email me on spittingoptional@gmail.com
