Chalmers Sangiovese 2012 
Style: Medium bodied red
Country: Australia
Region: Heathcote
Tasting note: All the variety ever advertises to be on the nose, sweet cherry and dusty. The palate is relatively simple made up of cherry characters and chalky tannins, velvety tannins and nice structure.
Final Say: Pretty simple but enjoyable. $35 a bottle
Score: 16 out of 20
For any questions or feedback feel free to email me on spittingoptional@gmail.com
Hither & Yon Aglianico 2012
Style: Medium-bodied red
Country: Australia
Region: McLaren Vale
Tasting note: This lesser known variety is typically grown in Southern Italy (Campania) where it makes a rich, velvety style red. This Aussie crack at the variety is a touch leaner than the better Italian examples but has those typical blueberry and white pepper notes on the nose with hints of cedar. Plum and savoury spice on the palate and finishes with grainy tannins.
Final Say: Can’t wait to see what Hither & Yon do with this variety in the future. $30 a bottle
Score: 15.5 out of 20
For any questions or feedback feel free to email me on spittingoptional@gmail.com
Tulloch ‘Private Bin Pokolbin Dry Red’ Shiraz 2013
Style: Medium bodied red
Region: Hunter Valley, NSW
Tasting note: It’s not just the packaging of this wine that shouts retro Hunter Valley but its contents also display all those Hunter Valley Shiraz hallmarks. Great colour for a wine that has been harvested earlier than your typical 14-15 beaumé (which roughly ferments to 14% alcohol). Coconut oak notes on the nose with hints of leather. Dark fruit characters of blackberry with gentle tones of raspberry and dusty spice. Again, great fruit definition for a bonier style with enduring acidity and well integrated oak.
Final Say: ‘Don’t you, forget about me’- Hunter Valley Shiraz. $50 a bottle
Score: 18.5
Tulloch ‘Pokolbin Dry Red’ Shiraz 2013
Style: Medium bodied red
Region: Hunter Valley, NSW
Tasting note: A juicy, boisterous nose of red fruits which defies the lower alcohol level of this wine (12.3%). An elegant and dusty palate featuring characters of raspberry and white pepper. Good fruit definition for a leaner style.
Final Say: It’s a far more elegant, restrained style of Aussie Shiraz. $25 a bottle.
Score: 16.5
Tulloch ‘Hunter River White’ Semillon 2014
Style: Dry White
Region: Hunter Valley, NSW
Tasting note: Restrained nose with gentle citrus notes. Elegant palate with nice, pure lime, some straw and persistent acidity. Desert dry, squeaky clean and fresh. Text book Semillon, just needs some time in the cellar.
Final Say: Throw it in a dark cupboard for 5-10 years. $25 a bottle.
Score: 18.5
Tulloch ‘JYT Selection’ Shiraz 2013
Style: Full-Medium bodied red
Region: Orange, NSW
Tasting Note: Whilst produced by an iconic Hunter Valley winery this wine hails from the super trendy region of Orange. More dense and full-bodied than the Hunter Shiraz’. Dark fruits, plum and blackberry with sweet spice and chewy tannins.
Final Say: Big and ballsy yet elegant. $40 a bottle.
Score: 17.5
Tulloch Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Style: Dry White
Region: Hunter Valley, NSW
Tasting note: All you could ask for from this blend on the nose, snow pea, citrus and cut grass. Nice lime and rich lemon, great acidity and good balance between phenolics (grassiness) and tropical fruit. Very enjoyable.
Final Say: A fantastic wine for the upcoming festive season. $16 a bottle
Score: 17.5
Provenance ‘Golden Plains’ Pinot Noir 2011
Vintage: 2011
Style: Lighter bodied red
Country: Australia
Region: Geelong, VIC
Overview: 11 hours at work, stomach gurgles and the mind starts to conjure images of heavenly, golden arches. The last time the stomach has been delivered food was 6 hours ago, it now aches for salty, fatty, high-carb food. Driving home it is as if the car is on auto-pilot, it is steering its self into the drive-thru where an order is placed, medium chips, a quarter pounder and a six pack of chicken nuggets with sweet and sour sauce. Would I like to have that in a meal? Hell no! Don’t taint my meal with your Coca-Cola, I’m heading home to put my feet up and match my Maccas with a lovely glass of Pinot. The chips don’t last the trip home and the chicken nuggets don’t particularly go well with the wine, the quarter pounder however matches nicely, the tannins binding to the processed protein and acidity cutting through the grease, yep the only way I could be classier was if I was slugging the wine out of the bottle whilst cutting mainies.
Tasting note: Aromas of forest fruits and cloves, these characters join the palate complemented by blackcurrants and fresh acidity. The tannins are soft and supple. The wine finishes with some attractive spice.
Final Say: Disclaimer: I don’t not approve of or endorse my own food match. $26-32 a bottle
Score: 16 out of 20
For any questions or feedback feel free to email me on spittingoptional@gmail.com
Watershed Shades Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon 2013
Style: Dry white
Region: Margaret River, WA
Overview: Why blend? Because at times, several varieties can be overlap and cover the shortfalls of a single variety to create something close to perfect. Sure, in Australia we love single varieties but unbeknownst to many, an everyday favourite like Shiraz often has small amounts of other varieties added to create lift or structure. For instance a high percentage of the wines labelled as ‘Shiraz’ will have a small amount (around 5%) of Viognier added to add aromatics and soften tannins. Sauvignon Blanc is a pungent, fresh, clean variety with notes of tropical fruits, whereas Semillon displays citrus and Phenolics (grassy tones) so when blended together the Sauvignon Blanc catches our attention by jumping out of the glass but on the palate the Semillon adds elegance and length. Blending is not a case of a winemaker throwing two wines together and hoping for the best like some mad scientist but a calculated decision to make the very best wine they can.
Tasting note: Pungent passionfruit on the nose with delicate undertones of citrus and cut grass. The palate has a great balance between savoury and tropical; it is pure, clean and fresh. The kind of wine you may seek on a warm, spring afternoon when one glass is just not enough.
Final Say: Perfect as the weather continues to warm. $14.99
Score: 17.5 out of 20
Nugan Estate Cookoothama Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2013
Style: Dry white
Region: King Valley
Tasting note: The nose is elegant with subtle hints of straw, the Sauvignon Blanc slightly restrained. The palate is delicate, with flavours of citrus with a touch of grassiness from the Semillon.
Final Say:A nice, easy drinking blend. $13.99 a bottle.
Score: 15.5 out of 20
