I’ve always liked the La Boheme labels but gosh this one looks smashing on a bottle of red. Of course, it’s what’s inside that counts. And it’s a winner there too. Sessionable wine, not quite as impressive as the 2011 De Bortoli Vinoque Gamay but snappy all the same.
Opens up with a bit of bubblegum, loads of black cherries, cracked pepper and cinnamon. Exuberant aromas, vivacious yet malleable in the mouth. Some whole bunch vegetal/herbal action and a hint of meatiness. Light to medium bodied with crunchy, stalky tannin. Slam it down. 90 Good
Region: Yarra Valley
Alcohol: 13.0%
Closure: Screwcap
Price: $20
Tasted: November 2012
Not so impressed. Found it green, leafy and stalky (similar issues with a lot of 2011 Yarra, but u have to try, right!? Sadly reminds me of Burgundy from 2003 (or was it 2004?) where the locals (burgundians) referrered to it as(pardon my dodgy frenchZ) le vendage les cocinelles (sic); a vintage flavoured by something akin to cochineal. Dont think me biased ‘ I adore Yarra shiraz AND the wines of Steve Webber and De Bortoli. This just doesn’t do the region, the variety OR the maker, justice. Akin to a Loire valley CF from a cool to cold vintage. Lucky to score 82-84 from me. Technically ‘clean’ etc, but no fruit and too much stalk.
BTW, I dont think the 2000 Rioja Gran Reserva before skewed my view…
Dazza – we’ll have to agree to disagree on this one. It’s actually one my favourite wines of last year, points aside…but I like the stalky characters. Reckon it’s a tasty if ever-so slightly feral and possibly polarising wine. Like the blend of Syrah and Gamay here as well.
Jeremy, and fair call. We all have differing tastes and that’s part of the enjoyment of wine. I love Bordeaux but my wife prefers Barossa Shiraz. As I say to friends sometimes, ‘If mixing lemonade with your Grange works for you, go for it. I will just stick to my Cabernet’. It’s all personal taste and personal flavour and memory triggers. This one didn’t work for me but now enjoying De Bortoli Shiraz 2010 and loving it. Keep enjoying!! Agree on the blend – that wad part of the attraction. I figured it might be interesting and maybe even give a touch of some of the old O’Shea pinot-shiraz blends out of the hunter. No regrets ad its all about the experience:-)
And another PS, nice to ser a fellow queenslander getting amongst it!!
Thanks Dazza. Wine reviews aren’t intended to be too prescriptive – I agree, drink what you enjoy and take from a writer what is of worth to you.
I like this. The nose is almost stalky-pinotesque. But the palate is completely unique. Gamay is rare in Australia. However its lightness should be in fashion now?
Matt – I think when it comes to hardcore Australian wine nuts Gamay and Cru Beaujolais is quite fashionable these days but I’m not sure if that has penetrated a wider consciousness or will anytime soon. I do see more Australian Gamay (Eldridge, Sorrenberg & De Bortoli mostly) and Cru Beaujolais on independent retail shelves and wine lists these days, which does please me personally.
Tried this recently, and was thinking our Aussie trained palates are still coming to grips with some of these polarising styles – agree with Jeremy’s note though & definitely sessionable although the stalky vegetal action can take some getting used too, reminded me of a cool wet year burgundy or cab franc.