Tyson Stelzer

Pyramid Valley Earth Smoke Vineyard Pinot Noir

Tyson Stelzer — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:47:55 +0000

Mike and Claudia Weersing build pinot noir to capture the texture and character of its site, denoted here by a salty mouth feel derived from the limestone that underlies this vineyard. But here it’s the bouquet that really sets the wine apart. Delightfully exotic and alluring, it dances with violets, macerated cherries and exotic spice of all kinds. The palate presents soft, fleshy berry fruits and rather than fanning out on the finish it hones in on fine, mineral, chalk texture and taut tannins.

Morris Old Premium Rare Liqueur Tokay 500mL

Tyson Stelzer — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:47:54 +0000

Rumour has it that Morris is privileged to the largest reserves of old Tokay and Muscat in the country, and a recent poke through its grand barrel shed reveals a heritage like I have seen nowhere in the world. The price at which you and I can procure a bottle of this heritage is laughable, making Morris’ twenty-year-old rare as affordable as the grand tokays of many other houses. In a 500mL bottle (most rares are sold in 375s) for $57 at Dan’s, this remains one of the undiscovered treasures of the wine world. Its colour is immense, black, with barely a rim. It’s laced with raisins, dried apricots, white fruitcake and gorgeous savoury spice of immense persistence, with a backdrop of lively acidity perfectly offset by honeyed sweetness, wonderfully seamless and balanced.

Rippon Mature Vine Pinot Noir

Tyson Stelzer — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:47:53 +0000

Planted between 1982 and the early 1990s, Rippon enjoys mature vines like no others in Central Otago. But Nick Mills suggests it’s only been since 2009 that his vines have settled into a natural balance, thanks to a regime of organic cultivation. No vintage reflects this more emphatically than 2010, stepping up the most photogenic vineyard in the southern hemisphere to new heights of poise, definition, purity, focus and depth. Black plum, blackberry and pepper are the themes here, defined by very fine, mineral tannins.

Wantirna Estate Isabella Yarra Valley Chardonnay

Tyson Stelzer — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:47:52 +0000

The cool 2011 season has blessed Wantirna with an impeccable chardonnay, pristine and youthful, with a confident future before it. With a green note to its pale straw hue, it contrasts the lively lift of lemon blossom and the crunch of lime zest with the generosity of succulent white peach, underlined by subtle, classy French oak. A chardonnay of outstanding persistence and well-defined acid line, poised to go long in the cellar. $55 at Wine Box Warehouse.

Maude Mt Maude Vineyard Pinot Noir

Tyson Stelzer — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:47:52 +0000

Maude’s pinot vines celebrated their 16th birthday in 2010, and their fruit gains in elegance and confidence with each year. it’s handled 100 percent whole bunch particularly well here, with all the exotic action you’d expect, yet with restraint, poise, effortless persistence of black fruits and fine, silky tannins. $50 at Wine Box Warehouse.

Morris Cellar Reserve Grand Tawny 500mL

Tyson Stelzer — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:47:51 +0000

At an average of 18 years of age, Morris Grand is only just legal, but this is ample time to build great complexity and intensity. Secondary red fruits have taken on bitter walnut notes, while subtle sweetness is offset by taut acidity on a very long finish.

Mayhem & Co Newcomer Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir

Tyson Stelzer — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:47:49 +0000

Fragrant, spicy and unashamedly elegant, this is a pinot alive with rose hip, red cherry and pink pepper personality. Brendon Keys has tactically kept the new oak influence to just 10%, upholding the beautifully styled, fine, grainy, peppery tannins and lingering appeal of its fruit.

Ata Rangi Célèbre

Tyson Stelzer — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:47:49 +0000

Syrah is the unsung hero of Martinborough, and with partners in crime merlot and cabernet sauvignon to pep up its structure, there’s quite some potential here. An expressive bouquet of blackcurrant, mulberry, violets, leaf and mixed spice is funnelled into a tightly honed palate with a rigid chassis of firm tannins. $34 at WineStar.

Grey Sands Romanesque

Tyson Stelzer — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:47:47 +0000

The first surprise is that it’s Tasmanian shiraz. The second is that it’s blended with the Bordeaux variety of petit verdot and the Port variety touriga. The third is that it’s absolutely captivating. From Grey Sands’ estate property at Glengarry, this is just the third release in six vintages, an enticing blend that captures the pepper of shiraz, the lifted violet perfume of petit verdot and the dried flower and savoury spice of touriga. The accord is delightful, with a deep core of plum and dark berry fruits and an impressively fine and textural tannin profile.

First Drop The Big Blind Adelaide Hills Nebbiolo Barbera

Tyson Stelzer — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:47:46 +0000

An appealing and characterful blend that unites rose hip fragrance with blueberry pie, red cherries, liquorice and lavender. A red cherry core lingers amidst an undercurrent of softly textured tannins. $28 at Hunt For Wine, The Oak Barrel and World Wine.

Ata Rangi Crimson Pinot Noir

Tyson Stelzer — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:47:45 +0000

Such are the heights to which Ata Rangi has ascended that even its second wine is as lofty as the first wine of many estates. Impressive cherry berry fruit purity, exotic spice, anise and violet themes are commendable, but it’s a confident, fine tannin profile and great persistence that elevate this release to a new level of sophistication and longevity. $28 at Wine Box Warehouse.

Mount Langi Ghiran Cliff Edge Shiraz

Tyson Stelzer — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:47:44 +0000

Lavished with tender loving care, this estate Langi fruit has volunteered a world of complexity in an enticing and approachable release. A large proportion of whole bunch fermentation, worked by hand and foot over many days and kept on lees in barrel for 18 months, has built great character of berry fruit definition, black jubes, mixed spice, all manner of flowers and dark chocolate oak. It’s graceful and supple, supported by fine-grained tannins and the savoury pepper nuance that defines Langi. $20 at Nicks.

The Lane Block 5 Shiraz

Tyson Stelzer — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:47:43 +0000

A beautifully aromatic shiraz that leaps out of the glass the instant it’s poured, alive with fragrant violets, red cherries and a captivating hit of black pepper. The palate doesn’t miss a beat, a thrilling and impeccably defined, lighter-bodied red of precise fruit profile, finely-ground, elegant texture and impressive persistence. Its black fruit core is a triumph for the season, and a delight by any standards. $24 at Fassina, Cellar d’Or and Simply Wines.

Xanadu Margaret River Shiraz

Tyson Stelzer — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:47:42 +0000

An impeccable Xanadu Shiraz, showcasing the strength of its vineyard on Stevens Road. The bouquet is elegant and savoury, defined by pepper and black plum skins and an understated violet petal note from a portion of viognier. Finished fermentation in predominantly new FO. A portion co-fermented with viognier for spice and floral lift. 14 months in FO, 40% new. Medium purple. An elegant and savoury bouquet of pepper and black plum skins with an understated violet petal note. The palate delivers excellent depth of black plum fruit, while upholding unerring restraint and calm confidence. Tannins are fine and textural, yet well-structured, supporting a very long finish. $22 at The Vine Press and Cracka.

Morris Vintage

Tyson Stelzer — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:47:41 +0000

Morris makes miniscule volumes of vintage port, and it’s worth tracking down for $25 direct, particularly if you have the stamina to leave it in the cellar for 20 or 30 years. Shiraz touriga durif is an unusual blend, and it works remarkably well, providing delightful balance of violet perfume, blackcurrant and cassis fruit and loads of spice, dark chocolate and subtle sweetness. It will appreciate another decade or two for its drying spirit to integrate and its fine, grippy tannins to soften.

Brennan B2 Pinot Noir

Tyson Stelzer — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:47:40 +0000

A bargain Central Otago pinot of silky allure and fragrant violet and rose petal perfume. It projects an engaging personality of elegant fruit presence, mixed spice and forest floor, laced together with softly textured tannins. No exports but will mail globally.

Lake Breeze Langhorne Creek Cabernet Sauvignon

Tyson Stelzer — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:47:39 +0000

A sensational vintage for Lake Breeze’s cabernet vines, now averaging more than forty years of age. It’s a deep, full, vibrant purple colour and brimming with impeccable blackcurrants, cassis, capsicum and lifted violets. It captures the signature concentration and menthol notes of Langhorne Creek while upholding refined cabernet varietal distinction. Fine-grained tannins and soft, lively acidity promise medium-term potential. $20 at Wine List Australia, No Frills Wine and Aussie Wines.

Tar & Roses Heathcote Sangiovese

Tyson Stelzer — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:47:39 +0000

A gorgeous sangiovese defined by the bright acid freshness that characterises this grape. It’s young and fruit-focused, singing with gentle cherries, strawberries and raspberries, laced with mouth coating, ultra-fine-grained tannins. $19 at Cracka.

Urlar Sauvignon Blanc

Tyson Stelzer — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:47:37 +0000

Captured at the perfect instant of ripeness to lock in flavours of crunchy granny smith apples, lemons and blackcurrant buds, massaged by a portion of old oak barrel fermentation. It’s pretty, precise, refreshing and persistent, accented with finely textured structure. A sauvignon of admirable line and persistence. $17 at Cracka.

De Bortoli La Bohème Yarra Valley Pinot Gris and Friends

Tyson Stelzer — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:47:35 +0000

Serious recipe, serious wine. One of the Upper Yarra’s coolest sites, wild fermented in large oak barrels and small tanks with lots of lees work. The result is an engaging tension between crunchy lime zest, nashi pear and granny smith apple and the layered, textural mouth feel of clever barrel and lees action. An exciting and exceedingly versatile gris, befriended by a small percentage of gewürztraminer and riesling. $17 at Wine List Australia, No Frills Wine and Aussie Wines.

The Lane Block 1A Chardonnay

Tyson Stelzer — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:47:34 +0000

Block 1A is actually a blend across eight blocks, but don’t let this hold you back from a surprisingly sophisticated and skilfully crafted chardonnay at a bargain price. Elegant beauty is the theme here, with a vibe of spicy grapefruit, just ripe white peach and high notes of lemon blossom. Partial ferment in big French oak foudres provides well-gauged cashew nut support. $17 at Cellar d’Or and Simply Wines.

Wirra Wirra Mrs Wigley Grenache Rosé

Tyson Stelzer — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:47:33 +0000

It says rosé on the tin, but consider this wine part way between light rosé and McLaren Vale grenache, with a medium crimson pink hue and a palate of softly structured tannins and well-toned body. It’s got all the ripe and flamboyant strawberries and raspberries you’d hope for, finishing refreshingly off-dry, with crunchy acidity, complexing notes of herbs, and impressive length. A well-crafted light-bodied red with versatile food-pairing dexterity. $14 at Our Cellar.

Campbells Rutherglen Topaque 375mL

Tyson Stelzer — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:47:32 +0000

With 3-5 years average age, the freshness of marmalade and tea leaves is beginning to build to the complexity of caramel and soft spice. Impressive persistence, viscosity and balance at a tempting price. $17 at Cracka and Dan’s.

Xanadu Next of Kin Margaret River Shiraz

Tyson Stelzer — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:47:29 +0000

Classic Margaret River shiraz, with a dash of viognier for floral lift and a touch of graciano for spice. Rose hip and pepper overlay tangy redcurrants and morello cherries, underlined by finely textured tannins. Fresh, crunchy and great value. Give it a year to integrate. $14 at Our Cellar.