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On tour with Tim and Phil day two
Beechworth and King Valley
Tasted May 19, 2023 by chatters with 76 views
Introduction
After we found out that we couldn't get into Giaconda we improvised and headed off to do a whistle stop tour of the King Valley. As I was the only one who had been to King Valley before so we played it safe and went to Pizzini and Dal Zotto, before heading back to Beechworth and, in the evening, joining Stef & Will for supper at their place
Flight 1 - Pizzini (15 notes)
Rocked up and said 'we want to taste everything' so the nice lady allowed us to cherry pick and even arranged for us to try the four Sangiovese next to each.
White
2022 Pizzini Pinot Grigio
Rock melon, pear, clean, lightweight, nose. Juicy, muted fruit, a little texture, more pear on the palate, the rock melon plays second fiddle. Drink young as you like Pinot Grigio.
White
2021 Pizzini Pinot Grigio Attento
Creamy and quite rich, muted pear fruits and a little sweet spice and a knob of butter. Tangy, rich, plenty of textured burr, fruit Is (impressively) quite crunchy, medium plus length. Interesting
White
2022 Pizzini Arneis
Peachy, fruity though simple nose. Fleshy, tangy peachy nots, translate to the palate and there is a fair amount of texture here as well as a touch of alcohol warmth on the long(ish) finish. Good.
White
2021 Pizzini Vermentino
A bit funky, reductive initially. It's juicy but there isn't much going on the palate. Nah
Red - Sparkling
2022 Pizzini Lambrusco
Cherry, raspberry in support, a little mineral underpin. Medium plus intensity acidity, textured grip is a little coarse and rasps the tongue, fruit is a little short otherwise this is probably the best Australian Lambrusco I've had.
Red
2022 Pizzini Sangiovese Nonna Gisella
clean cherry, a little tobacco leaf. Juicy, fleshy, cherry fruit, tannins are persistent, tight, drying, a little hard in fact but this is still simple, fresh and enjoyable.
Red
2021 Pizzini Sangiovese Pietra Rossa
Slightly meaty, gamey, savoury, a little cherry, sightly reductive. Medium plus intensity acidity, savoury cherry fruit, a little red berry in support, plentiful drying and slightly woody tannins dry out the mid palate, touch of non-intrusive alcohol warmth helps carry the finish. Hmm
Red
2021 Pizzini Sangiovese Forza di Ferro
Polished caramel oak, a little herbaceous notes; a touch green, sweet spice, red cherry. Medium plus intensity acidity and tannins, super juicy, crunchy cherry fruit, tight tannins work in consort with this. Long and surprisingly lovely.
Red
2018 Pizzini Sangiovese Il Rubacuori
Polished oak, sweet spice, a little Bretty, savoury cherry. Medium plus intensity acidity, tight grippy persistent tannins, long, lightweight, fruit is quite muted. The progression of the four Sangiovese in concentration, length and quality drops off considerably - questions are asked about the bottle so a second is to be opened...
Red
2018 Pizzini Sangiovese Il Rubacuori
Savoury cherry, muted sweet spice, gamey underpin a little tobacco leaf. Medium plus intensity acidity but the fruit more to the fore, savoury cherry backed by a little gameyness, gain tannins are persistent tight and grippy but this is far better than the first bottle.
Red
2022 Pizzini Teroldego
Dark hued berries, sweet spice in support, touch of tar. Simple nose. Medium plus intensity acidity and tannins; the latter chewy, fleshy a little almost hoppy bitterness to with the berry fruit. Hmm.
Red
2021 Pizzini Il Barone
Berries and plums, sweet spice, cherry, very fruit forward backed by oak. In the mouth it's juicy, fleshy, again quite fruit forward, plenty of tannic weight, slightly coarse flour tending to talc textured tannins is in support and, with a little alcohol warmth, carries the finish long. Quite pleasant.
Red
2018 Pizzini Nebbiolo Estate
Tar, quite savoury touch of eucalyptus, pot pourri, a little plummy for fruit and fruit tea. Medium plus intensity acidity, plenty of ridiculously chunky tannins. Fruit tea. Woof
Red
2018 Pizzini Nebbiolo Coronamento
Tar, a little polished oak, cream, quite savoury though with a little meaty underpin. Lacks fruit ton the palate. Juicy, aa little peppery note, super persistent floury textured tannins dry out the palate though not unpleasantly, lacks fruit on the palate as well. Hmm.
Red
2021 Pizzini Canaiolo
Slightly jubey, compote red berry and cherry fruit, touch of savoury spice in support. Medium plus intensity acidity, lashings of chewy tannins, fruit doesn't really get past this onslaught. Woof!
Flight 2 - Dalz Otto (7 notes)
It must have been a quiet day as the lady who looked after us was positively chuffed to see us. We even managed to try all five of the Proseccos next to each other creating an awful lot of washing up...
White - Sparkling
N.V. Dal Zotto Prosecco Pucino
Crisp smelling pear, candy floss, slightly perfumed top notes. Juicy, soft, crisp mousse, surprising amount of drying textured, a little medium plus length. Hmm.
White - Sparkling
2022 Dal Zotto Prosecco Pucino
Green apple and pears, a little mineral underpin, candy floss. Medium plus intensity acidity, green orchard fruit, very slightly unripe for me, texture not so noticeable compared to the NV but still a little rasp. Hmm.
White - Sparkling
2021 Dal Zotto Prosecco L'Immigrante
A little bread yeast, orchard fruit is slightly more muted. In the mouth there is a super crisp and quite aggressive mousse, juicy acidity then quite pear skin amaro bitterness married to drying grippy tannins. Nah.
White - Sparkling
2019 Dal Zotto Prosecco Pucino Col Fondo
Ooh, slightly funky, farty with muted pear notes. Crisp mousse, medium plus intensity acidity, lashings of grip on the mid palate, quite muted fruit. Nah.
White - Sparkling
2019 Dal Zotto Prosecco 'Tabelo' Col Fondo
Low intensity aromas, a little fresh fruit and slight raisins & honey. Juicy, fleshy, textured, a touch of raisin, fresh fruit and a tiny honey note, finishes a touch bitter. Interesting
Red
2021 Dal Zotto Cabernet Merlot
Blue and blackberry, plums, sweet spice, a little mint, cedar, nice nose. A little wood glue joins the berry flavours on the palate, chalky tannins. Nice nose…not so good on the palate
Red
2016 Dal Zotto Nebbiolo L'Immigrante
Wood glue, ripe plums tending to prune a little sweet spice. Not much varietal typicity on the nose. And all of this translates to the nose joined by some raisins. Tannins and acid are not really that present either. Not very nice.
Flight 3 - Sorrenberg (4 notes)
Jan took us through three of the Sorrenberg wines and the Shiraz that her son made.
White
2022 Sorrenberg Sauvignon Blanc Sémillon
Gooseberry, apple, a little savoury and earthy underpin. Juicy, tangy though tends to medium plus intensity acidity, some woody texture; grainy and more apple than gooseberry on the palate. A touch dilute, slightly out of whack, Hmm
Red
2022 Sorrenberg Gamay
Fresh cherry, berry, a little earthy underpin, very slight white pepper. Juicy, just the right side of slightly sour cherry and berry fruit, slightly woody talc textured tannins, fresh and lovely, very slight non intrusive alcohol warmth on the finish
Red
2021 Juliard Shiraz
Softly berried fruit in the black spectrum, touch of black pepper, a little herbaceousness, smidge of meatiness. Juicy, savoury, slight berry fruit but quite muted, talc, textured tannins are slightly dilute.
Red
2021 Sorrenberg Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc Merlot
Cedar, blackcurrant, slight herbaceous notes, a little plummy note, black hued fruits, very slightly dilute, okay.
Flight 4 - Savaterre (3 notes)
Rushed here for a whistlestop taste at was is probably the most beautiful crush pad in the Australia. Wines were pretty good as well.
White
2021 Savaterre Chardonnay Frère Cadet
Slight bacon fat/reductive note, lemon, peach, slight butter. Juicy, fleshy, muted fruit, textured burr, slight butter, bacon fat. Fresh. Simple but nice. Balanced.
Red
2019 Savaterre Pinot Noir
Savoury, meaty, muted dark fruits, earthy minerality, slightly ashy whole bunch notes. Juicy, fleshy, savoury though muted fruit, touch of whole bunch, super persistent tannins but it's a bit lightweight for me.
Red
2019 Savaterre Shiraz
Peppery with savoury dark berry fruits on the rather simple nose. Juicy, fleshy, liquorice and tar notes join the pepper and dark fruits, beautiful finely tooled grainy tannins, harmonious. Very good.
Flight 5 - Fighting Gully Road (11 notes)
Despite a wrong turn that took us 10km out of our way we managed to finally get to see Mark and had the pleasure of him taking us through his, for the most part, excellent wines.
White
2021 Fighting Gully Road Chardonnay
Generous peachy fruit, a little clay, struck match, clean with slightly leesy notes. Juicy, fleshy, textual, fresh and simple, nice with a little alcohol warmth on the finish that doesn't intrude. Okay
White
2021 Fighting Gully Road Chardonnay Black Label Smith's Vineyard
Rich and concentrated, a little clay, peach fruit, a little toasty note. Medium plus intensity acidity, tangy, stone fruit, slightly woody textured. Long, concentrated. Nice.
White
2021 Fighting Gully Road Verdicchio
Savoury, slightly meaty, leesy with muted citrus fruit. Super tangy, tight leesy texture, citrus and saline, fresh, tight, interesting
Red
2022 Fighting Gully Road Pinot Noir
Muted red berry and plum, a little meaty underpin, earthy notes. Juicy, fleshy, fresh, again red berries and plums, talc textured burr, a little savoury on the finish. Nice.
Red
2022 Fighting Gully Road Grenache
Slightly smoky ashy notes from the whole bunch, strawberries, a little white pepper. Juicy, fleshy, medium plus intensity acidity, tight talc textured chewy tannins, fruit slightly lacking on the palate with the whole bunch presenting a slightly stemmy green note. Interesting though
Red
2022 Fighting Gully Road Sangiovese Beechworth
Savoury and meaty, wild cherry, a little earthy note. Medium plus intensity acidity, muted cherry fruit, plenty of drying talc textured tannins, slightly short. Hmm.
Red
2021 Fighting Gully Road Cabernet Sauvignon
Violet, dark plums, sweet spice, a little cedar over muted blackcurrant. Medium plus intensity acidity, plums over blackcurrant, chewy and tough tannins, savoury though the petit Verdot (even at 8%) tends to dominate.
Red
2019 Fighting Gully Road Tempranillo
Savoury, earthy, leathery, red hued fruits. Equally savoury on the palate, medium plus intensity acidity, tight chewy tannins. Woof
Red
2017 Fighting Gully Road Aglianico
Red fruits, slight fennel and tarragon, savoury spices, fruit tea. Juicy fleshy, fruit less red hued here, that tarragon note with plenty of drying, slightly chalky tannins that persist super long. Lovely.
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Red
2018 Fighting Gully Road Sangiovese Black Label La Longa
Savoury, concentrated, a little polished oak, sweet spice. Cherry fruit and a touch of almost chocolate. Juicy, medium plus acidity, savoury dark cherry fruit, long and structured with slightly chalky tannins. Hmm
White - Sweet/Dessert
2021 Fighting Gully Road Petit Manseng Moelleux
A touch of wood glue, peachy, floral notes show honeysuckle. Medium plus intensity acidity, that wood glue note again, textured burr is a little drying/chewy, apple notes join the other fruits from the nose here.
Flight 6 - A. Rodda (5 notes)
Adrian took us through his wines…I really enjoyed the Tete du Cuvee
White
2021 A. Rodda Chardonnay Baxendale
meat and fresh herbs, slight bacon fat, lemon, touch of stony minerality, savoury underpin. Juicy, medium plus intensity acidity, tangy, tightly textured. Slight lemon, very mineral, that little bacon fat joins here on the finish. Hmm
White
2021 A. Rodda Chardonnay Willowlake Vineyard
Again (Like the Baxendale) that bacon fat and stony minerality, slightly more ripe fruit though, a little stone fruit joins the citric notes. Medium plus intensity acidity is super juicy, chalky minerality adds to the textured tannins, long, fruit translates here as well. Okay.
Red
2021 A. Rodda Tempranillo Aquila Audax
Pretty red berries; strawberries especially, floral top notes with very slightly ashy notes. Juicy acidity, chalky tannins, fruit is a little muted on the palate unfortunately which is a little disappointing.
Red
2021 A. Rodda Cabernets Cuvée de Chais
Blackcurrant, plums, a little red berry, cedar. Juicy, medium plus intensity acidity, savoury, black and red fruits, chalky tannic grip. Hmm
Red
2018 A. Rodda Cabernets Tête de Cuvée
Cream, blackcurrant, sweet spice, plums, violets, over mud and clay. Medium plus intensity acidity, dark hued fruits, a little plain chocolate, savoury but with fruit sweetness, persistent, slightly grainy tannins, lovely.
Flight 7 - Supper with Stef and Will (9 notes)
Stef had agreed to do us Beef Bourguignon so we foiled half a dozen bottles of pinot and took them over and tortured them with the wines blind. It was an absolutely lovely evening.
White - Sparkling
N.V. Larmandier-Bernier Longitude
This one had a bit of a age and the provenance was not 100%. Honey, nutty and toasty notes on the nose. Textured burr, a little lemon and a gentle nutty and honey support. Not sharp. Pleasant.
Red
2005 Domaine d'Ardhuy Corton-Clos du Roi
Served Blind.
Dense ripe dark fruits, sweet spice - quite rich and concentrated - getting a little dried out with a touch of caramel in support. Juicy, savoury, chewy tannins, dark fruits, alcohol warmth, that dried out note is on the palate as well.
I knew this was mine.
Dense ripe dark fruits, sweet spice - quite rich and concentrated - getting a little dried out with a touch of caramel in support. Juicy, savoury, chewy tannins, dark fruits, alcohol warmth, that dried out note is on the palate as well.
I knew this was mine.
Red
2021 DWC Wines Pinot Noir
Served Blind.
Quite stalky and green but with black berry and plummy fruits that reveals itself over time. In the mouth that stalky note is present, lends spice and there is a sweet fruit core and a gentle persistent tannic burr.
I knew this was mine.
Quite stalky and green but with black berry and plummy fruits that reveals itself over time. In the mouth that stalky note is present, lends spice and there is a sweet fruit core and a gentle persistent tannic burr.
I knew this was mine.
Red
2004 Domaine Robert Arnoux / Arnoux-Lachaux Echezeaux
Served Blind.
Red and black fruits, polished oak is controlled, mushrooms, Autumn leaves, slight ashy underpin is the only sign of the vintage. Juicy, tangy, nice acid line, brambly fruit has a slightly jubey note, gently textured tannic burr, very long. Lovely.
I knew this was mine.
Red and black fruits, polished oak is controlled, mushrooms, Autumn leaves, slight ashy underpin is the only sign of the vintage. Juicy, tangy, nice acid line, brambly fruit has a slightly jubey note, gently textured tannic burr, very long. Lovely.
I knew this was mine.
Red
2006 Bass Phillip Pinot Noir 21
Served blind.
Bramble, black hued fruit, sweet spice, a little wood glue. Sour, slight wood glue, it's a little sharp, fruit is more red hued and the tannins slightly coarse. A little hard.
I went with the Bass Phillips
Bramble, black hued fruit, sweet spice, a little wood glue. Sour, slight wood glue, it's a little sharp, fruit is more red hued and the tannins slightly coarse. A little hard.
I went with the Bass Phillips
Red
2015 Faiveley Mercurey 1er Cru Clos des Myglands
Served Blind.
A little Bretty/meaty note up front, slight toast, red over black fruits, cherry. Juicy, tangy, tightly tannic grip is talc textured, fruit tea, cherry, touch of cola cube, youthful after the previous wines.
I guessed this was the Clos des Myglands.
A little Bretty/meaty note up front, slight toast, red over black fruits, cherry. Juicy, tangy, tightly tannic grip is talc textured, fruit tea, cherry, touch of cola cube, youthful after the previous wines.
I guessed this was the Clos des Myglands.
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Red
2018 Otronia Pinot Noir Block 1
Served blind.
Very slightly jubey red over blackberry, sweet spice, a little oak. Juicy acidity, quite bold, plentiful oak tannins are super persistent, fresh, touch of tomato leaf, slight alcohol warmth. Nice.
I guessed this was the Patagonian.
Very slightly jubey red over blackberry, sweet spice, a little oak. Juicy acidity, quite bold, plentiful oak tannins are super persistent, fresh, touch of tomato leaf, slight alcohol warmth. Nice.
I guessed this was the Patagonian.
Red
2001 Domaine Barge Côte-Rôtie Cuvée du Plessy
Served Blind.
Super Bretty, black fruits especially brambles, smoky, savoury, meaty. With time and air a touch of ashy whole bunch as well. In the mouth it has medium plus intensity acidity is juicy, tight, chewy tannins are grippy, dark hued fruits, slight alcohol warmth on the finish. Big. Feels quite young.
If it's not Syrah (Cornas) it's possibly Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru?
Super Bretty, black fruits especially brambles, smoky, savoury, meaty. With time and air a touch of ashy whole bunch as well. In the mouth it has medium plus intensity acidity is juicy, tight, chewy tannins are grippy, dark hued fruits, slight alcohol warmth on the finish. Big. Feels quite young.
If it's not Syrah (Cornas) it's possibly Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru?
Red - Fortified
1996 Campbells Vintage Port
Figs, walnuts, sweet spice, alcohol prickle, biscuit, cream, slight rancio underpin. Juicy, savoury, chalky textured tannins, figs, plums, sweet spice, a little liquorice, nice.
Closing
What a lovely day of tasting and then consumption. Wonderful.