Three of the best: Australian wines from Tesco
Posted on January 21st, 2010
Saved in Red wine, White wine, Wine
When it comes to wine, Tesco have really upped their game in the last couple of months. They have some true gems nestled amongst what often seems an infinitude of choice.
The following wines, I believe, punch well above their weight and price bracket. In my book they have what you might call an excellent “quality-price ratio”. They’ve also received plenty of international awards and accolades over the last couple of years.
1. White: Tim Adams Clare Valley Riesling (€12.05)
Having been in the doldrums for all but the most discerning wine drinkers, Riesling is well and truly back. It’s one of the true great grapes and, when in the right hands, capable of making stellar wine.
This one is from Clare Valley in South Australia, a cool climate region capable of producing Riesling to rival those from its ancestral homelands of Germany and Alsace.
Reading the back label, this wine is made with a gentle and caring hand. It’s clear that Tim Adams has a real focus on quality.This is reflected in what comes out in the glass.
Think floral and lime zest aromas, flavours of limes, minerals and peach stones, a slightly oily texture. Really delicious.
With food? Enjoy with seafood and stronger flavoured dishes like roast chicken, turkey or mushroom risotto.
2. Red: St. Hallett Gamekeeper’s Reserve (€9.35)
The Gamekeeper’s Reserve hails from the Barossa Valley near Adelaide in South Australia.
A blend of three grapes, Shiraz and Grenache, both planted extensively in South Australia and the third, a Portuguese grape, Touriga Nacional. Though the latest vintage on Tesco’s shelves seems to be without the Touriga (as is a winemakers wont).
All combine to produce a full bodied wine exploding with flavours of blackberries, dark cherries with some lovely spice and smokiness in there for good measure.
My Mum had introduced me to this wine, and I had all but forgotten about until a certain Martin Moran (MW) at John Wilson’s favourite Australians reintroduced it. Fantastic wine at this price.
With food? Have with stews, grilled steak or cheese.
3. Red: Ring Bolt Cabernet Sauvignon (€11.85)
The Ring Bolt comes from Western Australia’s Margaret River region. The area is renowned for its Cabernet Sauvignon or “Cab”.
It starts with a fragrant nose of dark berries and spices. This follows through to the taste with blackcurrants, blackcurrants and plums dominating.
Overall, medium bodied with soft tannins giving a lovely complex structure and long length.
Very smooth.
With food? A decent chunk of cheddar, pork chops or lamb.
This article appeared first in the Sunday Tribune, 10th January
Thanks for sharing the wine review. St. Hallett Gamekeeper’s Reserve is my favourite. It really tastes well.
Having known Tim for a few years, ”caring and gentle hands” is not quite the story with him. He is one of those handshake from hell people. But I know what you mean with regard to his winemaking. This riesling is superb. Does cellar for 10+ years. His Aberfeldy Shiraz at €37 is probably underpriced.But right now I dont have €37 either :-)
Hi Bill,
he certainly looks that way – I believe he was in Ireland last year for the Australian wine event. I tried the Aberfeldy with John McDonnell from Wine Australia and it was truly gorgeous. John highlighted an interesting and generous thing – Tim gives credit to the growers, shows a humility and that he’s an all round top bloke. Would love to meet him some time.
Likewise, €37 on a bottle of wine would have me divorced at the moment. The regular Shiraz at €14 is fantastic and I’ve a video tasting of that coming up soon.
Yep., Tim took me to the Aberfeldy vineyard one day. 100 year old bush vines. Not big, maybe 10 acres. Told me how much he pays for the low yielding fruit per tonne. These guys really only scratch a living as growers. Have tried a few vintages of this wine and have always thought it a giant in the making. Maybe up there with Hill of Grace. The fact that it’s in Tesco is puzzling. Maybe it was a case of ”take 1,000 cases riesling, 1,000 semillion and you can have a pallet”?
And, is it just me or is the Tesco premier cru NV champers a stunning wine at €24?
Not just that, I’ve just read the provocative Wine Trials 2010 where expensive Crus were pitted against some cheap bottles. A Freixenet cava was preferred to a Veuve Cliquot and a Dom Pérignon. Tasters weren’t just off the street either, college professors, sommeliers and plenty of other classy folk
[...] is the much bigger brother to the St. Hallett Gamekeeper’s Reserve featured a a few weeks ago (from €9.99 in Tesco, Superquinn, O’Briens and other [...]