Toppers Mountain Bricolage Blanc 2015

Toppers Mountain Bricolage Blanc 2015

  14:30    Stu.

---

A blend of Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Petit Manseng, Sauvignon Blanc.

A little muskiness, Nashi pear, beurre bosc, citrus nuances, golden notes, suggestion of thyme, perhaps, the Gewürztraminer leading this one. 

Marries texture to acidity, flesh and bones. Stonefruit, more pear and citrus. Good presence about it, perhaps you'd say complex - with an inviting simplicity. Good wine, if perhaps the driving length and composure to make it great. 90

Tasted on: Wednesday 7th March, a Flower to Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://toppers.com.au/

Follow me: http://twitter.com/TheVinsomniac

Read More

Topper's Mountain Bricolage Blanc 2013

Topper's Mountain Bricolage Blanc 2013

  13:29    Stu.

---

Curious blend, a partner to the Red Earth Child - interestingly bricolage means DIY, or "construction made of whatever materials are at hand; something created from a variety of available things". Appropriately here we have a mix of Chardonnay (60%), Gewürztraminer (20%), Petit Manseng (10%) and Sauvignon Blanc (10%).

Gewürz takes the lead here: rose, musk and turkish delight 'softness'; pear, mashed banana, a little honeyed note back it up.

Textured, a little honeyed, gentle phenolics with a good carry of flavour. Has a presence - nicely weighted - and balanced, not necessarily overtly dominated by any of its constituent parts. Tart citrus offered up toward the back palate.

On a decent length, finish is OK, but for me, it's more about the mid-weight and textural presence. 90

Tasted on: Friday 14th November, a Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 13.1%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://toppers.com.au/

Follow me: http://twitter.com/TheVinsomniac

Read More

Crittenden Los Hermanos Saludo Txakoli

Crittenden Los Hermanos Saludo Txakoli

  21:58    Stu.

---

Txakoli (chack-oli) is the Basque name for Petit Manseng, a grape that seems to have a slightly different interpretation depending on which side of the Pyrenees it's made.

Here we have a golden wine, hints of straw, lemon and zest; sea spray/ briny: a 'fresh' aromatic profile.  Not complex, no need - or intent I believe - for it to be.

Fresh, zing - youthful spritz that gives the illusion of texture/ minerality.   Clean - and again that word - refreshing.  Good acid profile, little length - but that's not what it's about.  To possibly understand this maybe take yourself to San Sebastian/ Donostia, and one of its many Pintxos bars.  Seek, fun and refreshment, it's really about lazy grazing, casual consumption.  89 - Good

Source: Retail, SBH Cellars
Price: $15
Alcohol: 11.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://crittendenwines.com.au/

Follow me: http://twitter.com/TheVinsomniac

Read More