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Showing posts with label Tawny. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tawny. Show all posts

Wednesday, 28 August 2019

A Couple of Ideas for Father's Day


The good folks at Sauce Communications and De Bortoli wines were kind enough to send a few samples to tie in with Father's Day (1st Sunday in September in Australia), so here's a few options for what to buy Dad (or the person you call Dad, or who acts as your Dad but may actually be your Mum).


De Bortoli Noble One Botrytis Semillon 2011
For those of you unfamiliar with the term Botrytis, it is essentially a fungus that attacks the grapes, dehyradating them and leaving behind concentrated sugars.  In the right conditions and with good winemaking, that is an excellent conditional set to make sweet and concentrated wines, as with De Bortoli’s Noble One.

Aromatically it’s all honeyed, honeysuckle with touches of quince. Whilst those descriptors may have you immediately thinking dessert, the Noble One is also more than a match with some selected cheese. Go on, treat Dad and splash out on some deliciously ripe blue such as Milawa (a friend way back convinced me to match mould and botrytis with mould in cheese - a winner!). Equally, if Dad is sweet tooth inclined, knock up a batch of these Souffle l’Orange. 93 


De Bortoli Old Boys 21 Barrel Aged Tawny NV
If Dad prefers something a touch darker after dinner, then this non-vintage Tawny will be sure to appeal. With its boozy Christmas cake like aromas - I could be describing Nanna there - in a good way I add, it's certainly rich and luscious.  

Layered, silken and velvety in its approach across the palate. It's a mix of dried fruit and nut, with hints of dark chocolate. Toffee is in the frame too. Sit Dad down in his favourite chair, some dark chocolate in hand, a glass of this and allow him to enjoy the moment. 93 



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Sunday, 2 March 2014

Rocland Estate 10 Years Tawny



It's often handy to have a fortified number to call on to pair with an appropriate dish - me, I love nothing more than a glass with some good quality dark chocolate.

Here we have sticky date/ toffee pudding - another great match - walnuts ad fruitcake with hints of spice in the mix. Touches of burnt orange dance around in the background.

Palate is plush, showing the richness of age, with a spiciness that lingers. The palate is rich with a good balance of fruit and spice character. 90

Tasted on: Sunday 26th January, Flower to Leaf Day 
Source: Sample
Price: $15
Alcohol: 19.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.roclandestate.com/

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Sunday, 6 March 2011

Witches Falls Classic Tawny


I've already written at fair length about my visit to the Witches Falls cellar door.  It seems funny to think back to that weekend now, for it was the weekend immediately prior to the Brisbane floods.  It seemed like it hadn't stopped raining for months, we were worried about access to the cellar door for I know that some roads in the local area have a tendency to ford with large volumes of rain.

So to the wine itself, it was consumed as part of my OTBN dinner -  as the liquid accompaniment to a cheese course.

It exhibits aromas of candid orange peel and black cherry.  In the mouth it is rather smooth, offering chocolate coated berries, chai latte and some porty raisiny notes.  The finish is spicy, more of that Chai/ cinnamon, and it has a fair reach to it.

Yet another reason to get yourself to Witches Falls Cellar Door.

Source: Cellar Door
Price: $28 ($23 Members)
Alcohol: 18%
Closure: Cork Stopper
Website: http://www.witchesfalls.com.au/

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Thursday, 30 December 2010

David Franz Old Redemption x.o.


I love wine stories.  David Franz Lehmann is one of the sons of Barossan legend Peter Lehmann.  David has had a rather interesting career; graphic designer being one of them and this shows in the beautiful packaging that all his wines are renowned for.  The beauty doesn't stop on the outside of the bottle.

This is the perfect Christmas wine for me in so far as I don't actually like Christmas Pudding - this a brilliant liquid substitute.  Much paler than I was expecting - but then I suppose you would say it was tawny. 

The immediate aroma is of raisins and candided fruit; the palate caramel, cinnamon and Christmas Pudding itself.  It has a treacly silken mouthfeel.  Top stuff.

Price: $37.99
Closure: Diam
Website: http://www.david-franz.com/