At an in-store tasting I tasted a wine from the Sans Pareil winery in the Riverina. From a quick look at their website I see that they have and extensive range of wines (Cabernet, Shiraz, Durif, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, etc.) but the one they had on tasting was a Black Label Reserve Merlot. It was quite attractive in a restrained, dry style, more European in nature than anything else and not like any other Australian merlot I've ever had, not that I have since I tend to avaoid them. When I mentioned this to the winemaker who was at the tasting station he said he makes all his wine with a European touch.
Has anybody here on the forum any experience with the winery or any of their wines?
Sans Pareil Wines
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Mahmoud Ali
- Posts: 2954
- Joined: Fri Aug 25, 2006 9:00 pm
- Location: Edmonton, Canada
Re: Sans Pareil Wines
What is a "European Touch"?
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Mahmoud Ali
- Posts: 2954
- Joined: Fri Aug 25, 2006 9:00 pm
- Location: Edmonton, Canada
Re: Sans Pareil Wines
I think the winemaker meant was an old world style, not the modern, fruit forward style that is often referred to as modernist or international. I think I said something to the effect that if served blind I might have guessed his merlot to be old world and certainly not Australian. That's when he said he tried to make all his wines in a European style. I do know that the Reserve Merlot was only 13.5%, which is low in the context of Australia and Riverina in particular.
The six cases of merlot in the store sold out before the in-store tasting ended. They were offering rainchecks since there was a 10% discount for all wines and spirits in the store bought that evening, part of their anniversary celebration.
The six cases of merlot in the store sold out before the in-store tasting ended. They were offering rainchecks since there was a 10% discount for all wines and spirits in the store bought that evening, part of their anniversary celebration.
Re: Sans Pareil Wines
At a guess, not overripe and overalcoholic. Perhaps more savoury. Less ripefruit and less oak. Not that Europe has been immune to Bob Parker disease, but they were somewhat less affected in certain areas.
Even in Australia, once upon a time older wines were often less fruit forward and less alcoholic. At one of our early tastings we notices Hunter Valley reds progressed over the past decades from 11.5% - 12.5% through 13.5 and then 14.5%. It’s such a shame. Can’t say I enjoy the ultramodern Hunters nearly as much as the old school style.
Even in Australia, once upon a time older wines were often less fruit forward and less alcoholic. At one of our early tastings we notices Hunter Valley reds progressed over the past decades from 11.5% - 12.5% through 13.5 and then 14.5%. It’s such a shame. Can’t say I enjoy the ultramodern Hunters nearly as much as the old school style.