Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/133302
BLUE REVIEWS 90 Re Manfredi 2012 Bianco, Basilicata, Italy ($13) Spicy, off, dry and juicy with ripe fruit and lively acid; 70% Müller Thurgau, 30% Traminer. The Return of Australia See my commentS on the re-emergence of Australian wine in this month's "From the Editor" column on page 3. Here are just a few of the Australian offerings I've tasted recently, showing that the continent's quality is once again impressively high across a wide range of varietals, styles and price points. 88 De Bortoli Wines 2012 Family Selection Chardonnay, Australia ($9) Smooth, fresh and peachy with minerals, ripe pear and bright acidity; clean, balanced and long. DE BORTOLI WINES USA 88 Bulletin Place 2012 Unoaked Chardonnay, South Eastern Australia ($10) Sleek and minerally with tangy acidity and notes of ripe pear; juicy and dense, long and bright. VINEYARD BRANDS 90 Robert Oatley 2012 Riesling, Great Southern ($20) Sleek and dry with juicy citrus and mineral notes; silky and fresh with elegance and pure flavors; long, balanced and lovely. FREDERICK WILDMAN & SONS 88 Pedroncelli Winery 2012 Sauvignon Blanc, East Side Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County ($14) Bright and fresh with straightforward peach fruit flavors and good acid structure; fresh and clean with a long finish. 88 House Wine 2010 Steak House Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley ($10) Smooth, ripe plum nose; silky, juicy and rich with plum, blackberry and spice; mellow and long. PRECEPT BRANDS PACIFIC HIGHWAY 90 88 Robert Oatley 2010 Shiraz, McLaren Vale ($17) Smooth and lush with juicy plum and berry fruit; mellow, balanced and showing lovely, fresh flavors; long and stylish. Astrolabe Wines 2012 Province Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand ($23) Minerals and gooseberry, ripe and juicy with spice and tangy acidity; nervy, fresh and balanced. PACIFIC HIGHWAY 90 Shingleback 2011 Shiraz, The Davey Estate, McLaren Vale ($22) Juicy and bright with tangy blackberry and plum; lively acidity and lift; fresh and racy with depth and a long finish. USA WINE WEST 89 Sagelands Vineyard 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley ($10) Silky and juicy with blueberry, cherry and spice; clean, balanced and fresh with considerable depth and charm. PRECEPT WINE 91 Yangarra 2010 Shiraz, McLaren Vale ($25) Deep, smooth and juicy with rich blackberry and cassis; bright, tangy and nicely structured; seamless, intense and nicely balanced; long and stylish. JACKSON FAMILY WINES 90 Yangarra 2011 Grenache, Old Vine, McLaren Vale, Australia ($32) Smooth and fresh with bright cherry and raspberry; juicy, lively and tangy with lifted, vibrant flavors; long and quite charming. JACKSON FAMILY WINES 92 Angove 2010 Grenache, Warboys Vineyard, McLaren Vale ($65) Smooth and spicy with bright raspberry, cherry and notes of mint; lush and tangy with vivid fruit and lovely flavors; long, balanced and stylish. PRECEPT WINE 92 Fairview 2010 Pinotage Viognier, Coastal Region, South Africa ($20) Smooth and lush with aromatics, spice and bright cherry and blueberry; rich, dense and showing firm acidity; long, deep and vivid. TRINCHERO FAMILY ESTATES VINEYARD BRANDS 74 / the tasting panel / june 2013 TP0613_042-79.indd 74 5/23/13 4:34 PM