Deepavali Brunch

Alex, Fiona, Elsa and I headed our for a lazy, public holiday brunch. We had a lovely meal, with some nice wines. It was my turn to provide them blind, but Alex popped up with a surprise rose.

• 2007 Petaluma Riesling Hanlin Hill 91 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Mount Lofty Ranges, Clare Valley

  This was very nice, and went brilliantly with pumpkin soup and fish and chips. Green gold colour. The nose was remiscent of warm grasslands, with an overtone of sweet white fruit which brought to mind golden delicious apples and a touch of chalky mineral. With some air, the nose took on more complexity, with kerosene, lacquer, and lifted, perfumy flowers coming out alongside sweetish honseysuckle notes. The palate had some bracing acidity that had a lilttle bite on the tongue. Flavour-wise, chalky mineral and clean slate peeked out first. This was lithe, lean and well delineated, but there was a sense even from the first pour that the wine was juicy and well integrated. The midpalate showed a squeeze of lemon and a teaspoon of honey and, with time, green apples and a sprinkling of gravel. This had a very decent finish with lingering white flowers. There was just a touch of heat but that faded on second pour. So well integrated and lovely drinking for a warm afternoon now, but this is a serious wine that will reward several years of aging yet.

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• 2007 Woodstock Grenache Rosé 89 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale

  I am in complete agreement with Alex H that this rose is straddling the borderline between beig a fun, summery drink and a serious wine. Ribena coloured, with loads of cassis and baclkcurrant Roundtree Fruit Pastilles on the nose. The seriousness came in a savoury base note of earth and mushrooms that added a surprising touch of complexity. On the palate, the wine had less pretensions - fun, sweet, with blackcurrant, maple syrup, maraschino and a long, sappy finish. Simple wine, but very pleasant. Went surprisingly well with malt waffles and maple syrup.

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• 2001 Faiveley Corton-Clos des Cortons Faiveley 92 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton Grand Cru

  Dark purple colour with a touch of brown just showing its age. Paired really nicely with beef patty and egg done sunny-side up. We all agreed that this had an absolutely gorgeous nose. Unmistakenly Burgundian, this had earth, cream of mushrooms, truffles, vanilla essence, fresh dark fruits, mineral, marmite, boiled borscht-like cabbages and a touch of game meat all wound together in a super integrated, super-attractive package. With some time, typical Faiveley touches of Indian flower garlands, with jasmine and a hint of dried sandlewood began to show. Perfect for a Diwali afternoon. The palate needs to do a bit of catching up though. Still super-young and tightly wound, it showed dried woody tannins, at points a little chalky and grainy, but with some grip. Great balance throughout, with nice and fresh, yet very rounded and never obstrusive acid supporting sweet cherries and strawberries along with more earthy gamey tones. Rather rich for a 2001, this had a unmistakable weight of a Grand Cru or high-end 1er Cru to it. It finished round and juicy, with fresh cherry and a touch of flowers and a little streak of steel. I found this a really complete wine. Still oh so young even though we drank from a 375ml. I would give this a good five years more.

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