WINEWISE DISCOVERIES

2009 Pizzini Pinot Grigio This is a clean fresh style with intense and vibrant aromas; the palate is juicy with pear flavours in abundance balanced by crisp, citrus acidity and a mineral grip. As with many of their Italian varietals, Fred and Joel Pizzini have selected a good clone of the variety and the quality shows. Crisp summer drinking! ($18.50)
Highly Recommended LS

2008 Pizzini Arneis Another wine displaying good varietal character both in the aromas and flavours. Nashi pears spring to mind with a touch of florals and spice! The palate has a chalky leesy texture balanced by a crisp, mineral finish. While this wine is still available on retailers' shelves, the 2009 (which I'm yet to taste) is now available from the cellar door. ($20.00)
Highly Recommended LS

2008 Pizzini Rosetta (Sangiovese Rosé) The blush pink colour looks just right for a rosé and this wine shows how it should be made. The aromas are aromatic with floral and fruits of the forest (berry) notes; the palate exhibits lovely fresh flavours with vibrant, zesty acidity and a touch of minerality. Made with only 4 grams of residual sugar, it fits the dry, food friendly mould perfectly. Reviewed also in the October 2009 issue. Again, while this wine is still available on retailers' shelves, 2009 is the current release from the cellar door (but I haven't tasted it). ($16.50) ***Excellent Value***
Highly Recommended LS

2008 Pizzini Sangiovese This is what sangiovese is all about - fresh, clean varietal aromas of morello cherries and bun spice. The palate has very good depth of fruit with fine, savoury tannins and great vibrancy. This wine will gain greater complexity with 3/4 years cellaring as the 2006 is now proving. ($25.00)
Highly Recommended LS

2004 Pizzini Rubacuori Sangiovese Made from a brunello clone, this wine is clearly a step up in richness and flavour (and indeed price). Superb nose - rich morello cherry with lots of spice; intensely flavoured palate and great palate structure - it exhibits a very long finish and refined, savoury tannins which nevertheless need time to soften. Cellar for 5 years. Clonal selection holds the key to good, indeed great, Australian examples of this variety. ($110.00)
Outstanding LS

2004 Pizzini Nebbiolo Instantly recognizable varietal aromas - fragrant rose petal - quite refined. The palate has a certain delicacy about it with understated power and a long, savoury finish. The tannins are fine and marked as you would expect from this variety so keep it in the cellar for a few years. ($45.00)
Highly Recommended LS

For contact details, visit: www.pizzini.com.au

CHRISMONT LA ZONA

2008 Chrismont La Zona Albariño (Savagnin) These wines come from another branch of the Pizzini family - Arnie Pizzini - and winemaker Warren Proft. It's still early days with Savagnin in Australia but this is a good fresh example. Vibrant floral aromas lead to a very crisp palate which has subtle pear flavours and an attractive chalky texture. Well balanced and great with tapas. Check online or your local retailer for this. ($22.00)
Highly Recommended LS

2008 Chrismont La Zona Pinot Grigio Notwithstanding the name, this is made in a richer vein more towards the Alsace style, seeing some 5% barrel fermentation but with only 12.5º alcohol. Quince/malt characters are displayed on the nose while the palate is quite elegant with an attractive mealy texture balanced by crisp, fresh acidity.($22.00)
Highly Recommended LS

2006 Chrismont La Zona Sangiovese Brambly cherry aromas introduce this wine which has a medium bodied palate with very good depth of spicy flavours and long savoury tannins. It's still very vibrant so you can cellar it with confidence for another couple of years. Check online or your local retailer for this. ($24.00)
Highly Recommended LS

For contact details, visit: www.chrismont.com.au

2008 Symphonia Albariño (Savagnin) The Symphonia label is part of the Sam Miranda stable in the King Valley - a maker to watch. Attractive spicy, stone fruits aromas lead to a generously flavoured palate - quite succulent - balanced by some chalky texture and cleansing acidity. ($20.00)
Highly Recommended LS

2006 Symphonia Quintus This is a blend of five varieties: saperavi, tempranillo, tannat, merlot and cabernet sauvignon and while this may, at first appearance, appear to be a wine made of left overs, in fact, that is most definitely not the case. The wine has been brilliantly put together and displays very complex, spicy, brambly aromas while the palate has understated power, some elegance and fine savoury tannins. A vibrant wine that will keep for a while yet. ($40.00)
Highly Recommended LS

2005 High Plains Durif Forget the durifs you've previously tasted from Rutherglen or the Riverina, this is a cool climate wine which brings another dimension to the variety. Even at four and a half years age, the wine is still very fresh displaying floral, dark berry aromas. The palate is refined, long and savoury.($25.00)
Highly Recommended LS

Note: Reviews of these wines were also published in the December '08 and February '09 issues of Winewise (these were panel tastings with the wines given the same ratings)

For contact details, visit: www.sammiranda.com.au

2008 Cleggett Shalistin (White Cabernet Sauvignon) This is a great addition to the white varietal spectrum and it's uniquely Australian to boot! I have tasted a number of previous vintages of this wine but this is definitely the best to date. The aromas are fresh and fruity, almost albariño-like, with some tropical nuances. The palate has very good length and texture with fresh, vibrant acidity and some balancing mineral grip. ($17.00)
Highly Recommended LS

For contact details, visit: www.cleggettwines.com.au

2007 Heartland Dolcetto & Lagrein This is an unusual blend to say the least. We haven't seen much 'proper' dolcetto made in Australia (I discount the lambrusco-style sweet version from Brown Bros) and lagrein is only just making its mark. One variety is traditionally associated with the North-West of Italy while the other flourishes in the North-East. Sourced mainly from Langhorne Creek (90%), winemaker Ben Glaetzer has produced an attractive and satisfying wine. Vibrant brambly aromas lead to a flavoursome palate of dark cherries with a touch of spice and long, savoury yet polished tannins. ($21.00)
Highly Recommended LS

For contact details, visit: www.heartlandwines.com.au