Riverland 14.5% Screwcap $13.99 Source: Sample
Petit Verdot is the Simon Katich of grape varieties in Australia. It’s (unfairly) overlooked, perfect for the conditions in this country, a sound varietal performer in its own right yet seemingly it will forever be remembered as a bit player; a blender that enhances Cabernet based wines. In actual fact, just like Katich, it’s got a lot of gutsy character and can be all class when appraised by itself. The reasons for its lack of popularity escape me.
Kingston’s version is the one single vineyard offering in the Estate range, and while it’s not in quite the same class as the 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, it is the other wine that captured my imagination. Good Petit Verdot should be about saturation of violets, on the nose & on the palate. This wine captures that perfectly.
It’s rich in colour and flavour; dense, rich black fruits, sweet black plums, luxurious dark chocolate oak and a little burnt coffee. The floral elements provide the beauty to go along with the grunt. Some nutty characters add a touch more complexity.
There’s a gobful of flavour here, but the wine is not lacking in interest…all of which lifts it above its attractive price tag. If you haven’t tried a straight Petit Verdot before, this wouldn’t be a bad place to start.
Winery website- http://www.kingstonestatewines.com/
Maybe PV is the Brad Hodge of Australian wine?:-) Katich is/was at least in the Test side. I am from NSW, but Brad has had a bad run (or is he the Chambourcin of cricket – :-o)
Cheers
RB
Brad Hodge is definitely Chambourcin. He obviously offended one too many people :)Otherwise he would be in the one day team, transitional period or not!