Go Go Gadget Decanters by the Bay because you are about to get some awesome drops for your collection. With another successful June stocktake sales; we have made space, literally, to receive lots of new wines and the return of some favourites! We start our line up with an amazing biodynamic Riesling from Alsace, then we bring some French summer with Fazi Rosé. Finally, the line-up ends with two great reds from Australia. Sc Pannell’s moorish ‘Dead End’ Tempranillo and the ever-talented Syd from Thick as Thieves with his take on Nebbiolo.
Achillée Riesling 2016
Get ready to mind-travel to one of France’s most beautiful wine-growing regions: Alsace.
Some producers have wine going through their veins and Riesling in their DNA, producers like the artists behind Achillée. With the blessings of local wine legend and father Yves Dietrich, brothers Jean and Pierre Dietrich have created something truly unique in Scherwiller.
Alsace is a fantastic region for grape growing and has gone through a revival and modernization with newer generations of winemakers experimenting with winegrowing farming processes and wine styles.
In the mindset of a harmonious work between the vigneron and the land; Achillée is not only organic but also biodynamic, certified since 2003. Even their building is Earth-friendly; a Bioclimatic estate made out of straw!
Absolutely ecstatic to have their wines available down under! Trying their Riesling already excelled our expectations: We knew it would be good but we didn’t know it would be THAT good. Nashi pear, lemon zest, lemon curd, apples of all types and subtle white flowers found on the nose and palate, supported up by a powerful minerality and a solid structure. Minimal SO2 added (less than 1g per hectoliter). An absolute Alsatian gem.
Fazi Rosé
Rosé aficionados! You may have come across this “bang for bucks” on our shelves and fridges for the last few years. Most of you may even have tried this cheeky Corsican Rosé and/or come for more. Made on the gorgeous Island of Corsica using star varietal Sciacarrellu (35%), Merlot (30%), Grenache (25%) and Cinsault (10%), this Rosé is a crowd pleaser and a perfect winter warmer! It is bone dry with grapefruit, watermelon, cranberry, flinty and citrus rind notes. The unique blend gives a little more generosity around its saline, fine, lean feel.
“Fine and delicate style, crushed rocks, chamomile and rosehip tea, pink grapefruit. Has crunchy and energy, a light and flinty feel, turning more to redcurrant, strawberry and almond on a fresh and powdery finish. Refreshment plus.” 91 points, Gary Walsh, Winefront
Thick as Thieves ‘Pocco Rosso’ Nebbiolo
Mix Australian and Italian Nebbiolo(s) in a blind tasting line-up, and let the debate starts. Of course, the Italian ones tend to be more terroir-based wines than varietal based like the Aussies, however, it is certainly an interesting and delicious exercise.
Syd Bradford vinifies a superb Nebb from the King Valley; earthy, savoury with a dense, chewy mid-palate. Grapes are de-stemmed, then left for a lengthy cold soaking. Syd leaves the indigenous yeats for the ferment, then leaves the wines to macerate for eight-week post-fermentation. Once ready the wine is bottled without fining or filtration.
You can find all the organoleptic elements of the beloved varietal; high tannins, great acids, spice, leather and roses notes.
So much goodness; you will ask for more…
SC Pannell ‘Dead End’ Tempranillo
When you find a wine description that includes both sarsaparilla and “Road to Nowhere” by Talking Heads; you know Bacchus just sent you a sign. ‘Dead End’ is a delicious Tempranillo made by McLaren Vale icon Stephen Pannell.
“Stephen Pannell is one of the most liked and respected winemakers in the business, loved also by a wine-drinking public looking for refreshing, aromatic white wines and reds that are approachable and moreish – in essence, wines that are serious while remaining irresistible to drink” CellarHand.
This Fourth release of ‘Dead End’ Tempranillo shows “real presence, complexity and depth with an extra punch of fruit“. The grapes are sourced from two of the oldest plantings of Tempranillo in McLaren Vale (14-17 years old). In terms of winemaking, the wine is vinified in small open-top fermenters for 10 days. Then it is aged for 16 months in large format French and Hungarian oak vats and puncheons (20% new).
“Highly perfumed, vibrant and complex with sweet black cherries, sarsaparilla, root beer, galangal, mace, cinnamon, star anise and red liquorice. The palate is juicy, plush and supple. The persistence of the tannins is the signature here.” Stephen Pannell
Hope you will dive in and try some of these great wines.
For more information and/or order; email val@decanters.com.au
Wine regards,
VKL
