The Auswine Forum

Hi all,

I'm thinking of ordering a few each of the following wines:

07 Villa Maria Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc
08 Petaluma Hanlin Hill Riesling
07 Brokenwood Semillon
07 Wicks Estate Sauvignon Blanc
07 Howard Park Riesling

my partner and i like to enjoy kiwi S. Blanc in warmer months. we pick most of them from supermarket store, and so far our favourite labels are Te Henga, Cloudy Bay and Oyster Bay - we didn't really like the 06 oyster bay.

i have not tasted any of the above and love to hear your opinion on these wines.

Thanks

I personally wouldn't drink the Howard Park riesling now... I think it needs time and is a bit harsh atm.

For me Aussie rieslings (and semillon!) need a bit of time or they are more an exercise in acid rather than taste if you know what I mean.

For immediate consumption I'd go for NZ rieslings myself.

My preferred white these days is chard with a bit of oak but am partial to riesling too. I had a Hanlin Hill 07 several months ago that was really easy drinking, not of the steely, tart acid style often found in young Aus rieslings. From what I've read about the Hanlin 08, it's more typical of young Aus rieslings so suggest you seek out a bottle of the 07 to try, it may be what you're looking for if you can find it in reasonable quantity.

Cheers

daz

EDIT: It could've been an 06 that I had.

Leo Buring has a maturation release 1999 you can pick up at various places. Good example of how riesling can age and it's characters change.

The Brokenwood Semillion is a light on flavour and probably needs a few years in the cellar, If you are looking for a slightly better one maybe try the 2007 lost block from Tyrrells, same price (sometimes cheaper) and can be found anywhere.

2007 Kooyong Clonale Chardonnay
2008 Ad Hoc Strawman Semillon Sauvignon Blanc
2007 Burgans Albarino
2008 Pizzini Pinot Grigio
2008 Pikes Riesling

Jay60A wrote:For me Aussie rieslings (and semillon!) need a bit of time or they are more an exercise in acid rather than taste if you know what I mean.

For immediate consumption I'd go for NZ rieslings myself.

I definitely agree with the point re riesling and semillon. If you really wish to buy and drink riesling then buy it online through Langtons or other online auctions. Aim for something with 5 years or more. Other yes go for the pinot gris. Other than T'Gallant, normally the kiwis make better PG if in doubt.

Thanks - and any opinion on the SB?

Rather than the Brokenwood Semillon I would have a look at Mount Pleasant Elizabeth Semillon, you can pick it up for around $12 a bottle and the current vintage is 2003.

kwattro wrote:Thanks - and any opinion on the SB?

As I rule I hate the stuff and won't touch it with a 10 foot barge pool.

kwattro wrote:Thanks - and any opinion on the SB?

Villa PB is ok, but not really something to wrote home about. If you can find any Astrolabe, Dog Point, Blackenbrook or St Clair, you'ld get a better wine for not much more money I think. I'm not a Villa-basher though - I've certainly drunk plenty of it. The smart money has been on their recent pinot gris releases in their white PB range though.

If you want Sauvignon Blanc. The 2008 Castle Rock from WA is pretty good, and reasonably priced.

The other thing worth looking at is Pegasus Bay Semillon Sauvignon Blanc from the Canterbury region in NZ, this is a killer wine.

I don't really drink much NZ Sauv Blanc anymore, but the Palliser, the Isabel, or the Vavasour were always pretty good.

The Petaluma riesling 2008 is a good each way bet. It is a lovely, refreshing drink now, and will make a great aged wine as well.

Buy a dozen, drink some, keep some for later.