MARLBOROUGH SAUVIGNON BLANC AT A STEAL!

Open House Sauvignon Blanc 2008
ONLY $7.99 each
In the top tier of New Zealand’s Sauvignon Blanc producers is without doubt Wither Hills. Producing wines of consistent quality, Wither Hills has a deserved high reputation and a strong international following. Even more happily, the winery has released a second label – Open House, and with many good quality Sauvignon Blancs regularly offered to us, this was far too good to pass up.

With Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc often a $20+ proposition, this shows all the character you’d expect for a lot less outlay. Not overly green or vegetal, simply light and refreshing with balanced tropical guava fruit and a hint of pineapple, it’s perfect for uncomplicated summer drinking. The labelling is a nod to the winery’s partnership with NZ fashion house Trelise Cooper, with the designer acting as an ambassador to the wine, conversely making Wither the drink of choice around New Zealand and Australian fashion weeks.

Fresh, clean vibrant nose with lychee, tropical fruit and cirtus notes, this bargin is bright, crisp and refreshing, light and uncomplicated..... enjoyable! Everything good sauvignon blanc should be at an extremely attractive price!

$7.99 each

MACEDON RANGES AT ITS BEST!

Curly Flat Pinot Noir 2006
Shelf Price $49.99 Email Price $45.99 each
Only an hour outside Melbourne, the Macedon Ranges region has so much to offer, great local produce, terrific regional restaurants, fantastic outdoor activities, the home of your humble email editor and of course, from where such great wine producers as Bindi, Epis & Curly Flat hail. Year in, year out we taste Curly Flat pinot wondering if it can get any better, and each year it does, producing wines of character, subtlety and elegance.

Planted in 1991 just outside Lancefield with classical burgundy varieties of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay (and a little Pinot Gris thrown in), under the stewardship of Jeni and Philip Moraghan, Curly Flat quickly became a name to watch out for and has since established a reputation for producing wines of stunning quality, Jancis Robinson on a recent trip described Curly Flat as “the producer of some of the finest Australian Pinot Noir I have encountered”.

'Very exotic nose with immediate appeal. Already pretty complex. Lovely freshness and tension but strong mulberry flavours too. Real punchy racy stuff with lovely fruit and acidity. 18 Points” JANCIS ROBINSON

“Dark brooding black cherry, dark plum and loads of spice; very concentrated on the palate, and the fruit holds on and opens up over an extraordinary long time. Rating 94”
JAMES HALLIDAY

Curly Flat pinot noir has been on a steady rise but this is one out of the box.

Jumps from the glass. Heady with perfume, strongly flavoured (for a pinot noir) and then keenly structured, and persistent, through the finish. This is a thrilling wine and inexpensive, in pinot noir terms, for the quality delivered. Quality cedary oak is laced through darkly cherried fruit flavour. Foresty elements. Earthen elements. Sappy elements. A stunning release. CAMPBELL MATTINSON

$45.99 each

STAFF PICK

Tyrrell's HVD Semillon 2004
$28.50 Email Price $24.99 each
Upon recently tasting a sample of the current release (2004) HVD Semillon, I was reminded of the sheer quality Tyrrell’s is renowned for, particularly as one of Australia’s top producers of this heavily undervalued white varietal, Semillon.

From vines planted in 1920, the HVD sits in a series of single vineyard Semillons produced by Tyrrell’s, all showing incredible value for money (as Semillon nearly always seems to do.) But for me, this is the stand-out of the three current releases; as it is just beginning show its true colours, developing an intriguing mix of primary and secondary characters. With 5 Gold medals and 4 trophies to its name, it is no wonder why Tyrrell’s Semillons are internationally recognized as a ‘cornerstone’ within the Australian wine industry.

Youthful floral and citrus notes mingle with undertones of biscuit and pine suggesting that it is beginning to undertake the journey from ‘childhood’ into ‘adulthood’. A vibrant core of lemon zest, Granny Smith apple and green pear gives upfront appeal with honeysuckle adding complexity. Bright acidity maintains the wines varietal integrity and adds to its ‘more-ish’ appeal. BRADEN ROBB, Randall's Newtown

NB: With loads of initial appeal and superior ageing potential (especially now that it’s under Stelvin), this is a wine that should be considered for drinking now, and cellaring a few bottles also.

$24.99 each

MAIN RIDGE ESTATE NEW RELEASES!

"We are proud to release these '08 Pinots & trust they will suit every occasion, trivial or sacred, to greet, to farewell, to celebrate, to commiserate but mostly to provide you with unadulterated pleasure!" MAIN RIDGE ESTATE

Need we say more? Established in 1975 by Rosalie and Nat White, who from the outset aimed to produce quality wines, combining low yeilds and traditional winemaking tecniques to produce wines of finess and elegance. We love the wines... the miniscule quantities that we receive each year walking out the door, a testament to the consistancy that this winery shows and after tasting several older vintages, we can happily report that these wines show great ageing potential.

“One of the finest estate wineries in Australia. Main Ridge Estate is a seriously good producer. Visiting and tasting from the barrels in Nat’s tiny underground cellar is reminiscent of a Burgundy grower's "cave". This parallel works in describing his Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, which have a rare finesse and purity to them. They are delicate, restrained, long-living wines in a classic Burgundy style.” HUON HOOKE, Sydney Morning Herald, 2000

These wines come from adjacent blocks in our vineyard. The only difference in the making of these two wines is that the Half Acre is matured in 40% new oak compared with 25% for The Acre. This is done simply to balance the oak input with the intensity of the wines. In both wines our aim is to ensure that oak character does not intrude on the style which typifies each site. MAIN RIDGE ESTATE

2008 HALF ACRE PINOT NOIR
Email Price $79
LIMIT six bottles per customer

2008 THE ACRE PINOT NOIR
Email Price $66
LIMIT six bottles per customer

@ Albert Park this week
LUNCH WITH LUKE LAMBERT NEXT DOOR @ EIS (ALBERT PARK)
1.00 – 3.00pm, Saturday 13th Feb, 2010 - $25 (includes six wines and a light, ploughman's style lunch)
PLACES ARE VERY LIMITED, BOOK ON (03) 9686-4122
Luke Lambert completed CSU’s winemaking course in 2002 at the age of 23, and gained experience with a number of quality producers here in Australia (Coldstream Hills, Diamond Valley Vineyards, De Bortoli’s Yarra Valley, Mount Pleasant, Mount Prior, Poet’s Corner), Palliser Estate in New Zealand and 3 vintages in Italy (Baddia di Morrona – Chianti, Giacomo Brezza – Barolo, Cordero di Montezemolo – Barolo).

Luke’s wines draw inspiration from the rustic Syrah of Cornas, and the traditional Nebbiolo producers of Barolo, Italy. His vintages in Barolo at Giacomo Brezza and Cordero di Montezemolo have been the most influential on his own winemaking style. The wines are made with a focus on food compatibility, moderate alcohol level and rustic structure. All wines are wild yeast fermented and bottled without fining or filtration.

Join us for our inaugural Saturday winemaker’s lunch, a relaxed, simple lunch with some of Australia's finest winemakers. Luke Lambert will be on hand to guide us through his latest releases and compare them with previous vintages, accompanied by a light, ploughman’s style lunch; this will be a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

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@ Newtown this week
MERMERUS TASTING WITH WINEMAKER PAUL CHAMPION
Saturday 13th Febuary - 12 noon - 2pm
This Saturday we are delighted to welcome all to come in and chat with Mermerus owner and winemaker, Paul Champion.
Between 12-2, Paul will have his 2006 Pinot Noir and Chardonnay on tasting, and will be open to discuss his winemaking philosophies

click here for order form

@ Hawthorn this week
SOMETHING FOR THE CELLAR
Saturday 13th Febuary - 11am - 2pm
Need to restock the cellar after the christmas onslaught or simple wanting to but some little gems with the potential to reward some careful cellaring? This wee we have a number of great wines that whilst drinking deliciouslly now, will reward a little patiance.... if you can just keep your hands off them! On tasting will be;

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TAXI PRESENTS........
PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES - RIESLING & ALL ITS FRIENDS
6pm for 6.30 start, Thursday 11th Feb, 2010 @ Taxi Dining Room $180pp
Bookings essential on (03) 9660-9911
A chance to taste some of the best that Germany & Austria have to offer, speak with the winemakers behind the wine and enjoy a five course meal matched expertly to the wines. click here for more info including the menu

JOSEPH VOILLOT MUSEUM TASTING
6.30 – 8.00pm, Wednesday 17th Feb, 2010 - $50 redeemable upon purchase of 6 or more bottles
Bookings essential on (03) 9818-6194
It is rare to encounter mature vintage wines direct from a Burgundy producer’s cellars, but here is a wonderful opportunity to taste (and purchase at very reasonable prices) some truly delicious wines straight from the cellar in Burgundy to you. Hosted by Randall Pollard, we are proud to offer a tasting of two of Joseph Voillot’s Volnay premier crus, Fremiets and Champans, from several vintages between 1976 and 1987. These wines are available in very limited quantities shipping to order- do not miss this rare opportunity to taste these mature, classic Cote de Beaune Burgundies.