It’s easy to reach out for a full bodied Barossa red or a fragrant Mornington Pinot Noir in this cool weather. It seems, nowadays it is much harder to drink sweet dessert wines but after I saw Huon Hooke give 96 points to one of the Lillypilly wines, I had to have a closer look at the range. Talking to Robert Fiumara already gives a feeling about his wines. Robert is a gentle soul and his wines won me over gently. I tasted eight wines.
2008 LILLYPILLY Tramillon 375 ml
Unusual blend of Gewürztraminer and Semillon. Nice and low in alcohol.
Interesting, fairly odd nose. The first sip is definitely surprising, caught me off guard. Suggesting sweetness, just like a dry Alsatian Gewürtztraminer but the palate is full bodied with good fruit, finishing dry with fabulous acid structure. Very clean wine with good focus. I enjoyed my second and third glass much better, by then I got used to the style. It is a lovely dinner wine, now at its peak, perfect with Chinese or Thai.
91 points. AUD $13.50
LILLYPILLY Sweet Harvest NV 375 ml
Peachy Semillon, full bodied, fresh and sweet. Its sweetness is just right, balanced by superfine acidity. Delightful and oh so easy to gulp. Uncomplicated, fun sweet wine. At its peak now, perfect with a light pavlova or ice cream.
91 points. AUD $14.50
2008 LILLYPILLY Noble Blend 375 ml
Blue gold and TOP 100 winner this year. Fragrant with honey and peaches. Perfectly proportioned, rich body. Lovely complexity that builds. Sweet and full with excellent acid structure. Mouth watering finish. Perfect drinking already, will cellar for 5 years. Delicious with peach sorbet.
93 points. AUD $ 39.50
2006 LILLYPILLY Noble Blend 375 ml
Deep golden colour. Apricots, peaches and honey on the nose. Full bodied, very sweet palate. Concentrated, almost heavy. Thick and weighty palate. The finish is running a little short, this dessert wine has a mild acid structure. Drink now and drink it very cold.
91 points. AUD $ 22.50
2002 LILLYPILLY Noble Sauvignon Blanc 375 ml
Deep golden orange colour. Reserved nose of honey. Sweet, full palate with focus and drive. The powerful acid structure indicates that this wine at 9 years of age is far from full maturity. Looking slightly one dimensional, but nevertheless, an interesting wine.
93 points. AUD$ 39.50
2002 LILLYPILLY Noble Blend-Family Reserve 375 ml
Wow! And wow! This wine certainly has the X-factor! Poached pears, ripe nectarines on the nose with peach and a hint of honey. Tremendously complex palate with passionfruit and apricots. Multi layered, exciting and ethereal, this is one beautiful drink. Perfectly balanced and ever so smooth. Drinking superbly it is at its peak now. A most memorable dessert wine. Bravo. Top 100 this year and winner of countless trophies.
96 points. AUD $39.50
LILLYPILLY Fiumara 7 Domenic Blend 375 ml
A gentle fortified. Some base materials are over 20 years old. A medium bodied tawny with chocolate and caramel. Not overly sweet or heavy but rather smooth and easy drinking. Trophy and gold medal in Vienna.
92 points. AUD $22.50
1998 LILLYPILLY VP Fortified Wine 375 ml
Very fragrant nose of cabernet and dark chocolate. Smooth, creamy palate with slight coffee and chocolate notes. Fine tannins and very good balance. Drinking superbly already, it will cellar for 5 or more years. Mouth watering soft finish with caramel. A smooth fortified, it would go well with various cheeses. Quite a bargain.
93 points. $16.50
This is where it ends. All serious wine lovers should source the 2002 Noble Blend while it’s still available.
Cheers,
Attila
