Alliance Wine
Awards and Reviews Round-Up 

July 2008 

		Tim Atkin The Observer, 30 June 2008 "Let's hear it for Cabernet Franc ..."  The grape's style "varies from light and fruity to rich and profound" but it is always good value making chilled Cabernet Franc one of Atkin's "favourite summer wine styles."  The 2006 Cabernet Franc, Raats merits a mention for its "subtle perfume, sleek oak and polished tannins."

		Simon Woods Tasting Zone Wine & Spirit Magazine, July 2008  PHI Sauvignon Blanc 2007, Lusatia Park Vineyard, Yarra Valley 91 Points PHI sees Stephen Shelmerdine of Shelerdine Vineyards in Heathcote and Yarra joining forces with De Bortoli's Steve Webber to impressive effect.  This is sauvignon for grown-ups, just 12% alcohol, with the apple and quince flavours laying low, allowing an almost savoury, flinty tang to take cerntre stage.  The Pinot's delicious too.  Drink 2008-2010. Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar July/August 2008 by Josh Raynolds 93 Points, PHI Sauvignon Blanc 2007, Lusatia Park Vineyard, Yarra Valley Reminded me of a top wine from Didier Dagueneau.  One of the more compelling sauvignon blancs I've tasted in some time, from anywhere. 93 Points, PHI Chardonnay 2006, Lusatia Park Vineyard, Yarra Valley Very impressive.  Finishes firm and dry with slow-mounting minerality and excellent smoky persistence. 92 Points, PHI Pinot Noir 2006, Lusatia Park Vineyard, Yarra Valley Drop-dead gorgeous bouquet.  Serious flavour punch.  Impressively persistent pinot.

		Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar July/August 2008 by Josh Raynolds 95 Points, Two Hands 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Aphrodite, Barossa Valley Opaque ruby.  Vibrant red and dark berry aromas are complicated by cured tobacco, fresh flowers and suave oak spices... Turns spicier and sweeter on the finish.  This very impressive wine's tannins are completely absorbed by its luscious fruit. 94 Points, Two Hands 2006 Shiraz Ares, Barossa Valley ... hugely aromatic nose displays vivid scents of blackberry, cassis, graphite, licorice and lavender. Becomes sweeter and juicier with air.  A very deft blend of power and finesse.    93 Points, Two Hands 2006 Shiraz Samantha's Garden, Clare Valley ...I've had plenty of high-end New World pinots that were less graceful than this wine. 93 Points, Two Hands 2006 Shiraz Bella's Garden, Barossa Valley ... A vibrant, deeply flavoured shiraz that's very inviting right now but has the balance to age. 92+ Points, Two Hands 2006 Shiraz Lily's Garden, McLaren Vale ... Really fills the mouth, but this isn't exactly heavy, or too sweet.  Definitely give this densely packed shiraz some age. 92 Points, Two Hands Shiraz 2006 Max's Garden, Heathcote ... A racy, sharply focussed style that finishes with refreshing lift and cut. 92 Points, Two Hands 2006 Shiraz Sophie's Garden, Padthaway ... Finishes clean, nervy and fresh, with the tangy berry qualities echoing. 92 Points, Two Hands 2006 Shiraz Harry & Edward's Garden, Langhorne Creek ... A very suave, fresh wine with excellent finishing energy and lingering minerality. 91 Points, Two Hands 2007 Riesling The Wolf, Clare Valley ... Racy, sharply focussed citrus and mineral flavours are surpirsingly concentrated but almost weightless, picking up white pepper and tangy mineral on the back end. 91 Points, Two Hands 2006 Shiraz Gnarly Dudes, Barossa Valley ... Very graceful shiraz. 90 Points, Two Hands 2007 Shiraz Angels Share, McLaren Vale ...Vibrant raspberry and blackcurrant flavours are concentrated, clean and brisk, boasting impressive juicy lift.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar July/August 2008 by Josh Raynolds 2006 Feudo Montoni Nero d'Avola Sicilia, 90/100 Medium ruby red.  Flamboyant aromas of plum, smoky red cherry and spicy blackcurrant.  A nicely concentrated, juicy midweight with a tangy, penetrating quality to its crunchy red cherry and berry fruit flavours.  For what is essentaially an entry level wine, this boasts good density to go with its impressive youthful energy.  Enjoy this with a slight chill. 2007 Feudo Montoni Catarrrato Sicilia, 88/100 Lemony straw-yellow colour.  Tangerine, mint and rosemary aromas are perfumed and vibrant.  Bright and fresh on entry, with crisp citrus and herbal favours in the middle palate.  Finishes with a rather salty mineral note.  The wine's substantial texture and persistent finish might have you guessing it's from old vines and you'd be right.  This is the first ever vintage for this wine, made from 50--60 year old vines, the grapes from which used to be sold off.       Imbibe, Tasting & Matching July/August 2008 Hard Cheese Tasting Bouvier Trockenbeerenauslese 1999, Weingut Alfred Fischer, Burgenland, Austria A sophisticated and rich matching, the sweetness within the wine balances the cheese's intrinsic saltiness. "Oh my god, awesome!  To infinity and beyond.  Burnt and complex.  Eleven out ten." James Franklin, Tutor and Assistant Manager, Brookes Restaurant, Oxford Thai Food Matching: Best with Main Course Flor de Gewürztraminer 2007, Bodegas Laus, Somontano, Spain Waltzing it's way aromatically to the top spot .. it was one of the most obvious winners these tasting and matching sessions have ever produced.  A really attractive Gewürztraminer.  Less turbo-charged than those from Alsace, but a pretty, floral version with good cleansing acidity.  An excellent flavour match and a clear overall winner.       Jancis Robinson reviews the New Wave Spanish reds Jancisrobinson.com, July 2008 Cillar de Silos, Torre Silo 2005 16.5, Drink 2009-12 Quite fragrant and floral - almost as though some enzymes had played a part!  But there's an attractive delicacy here.  Lively wine. Dominio Lasierpe, Flor de Lasierpe Garnacha Viñas Viejas 2005 16, Drink 2009-12 Heady, animal, gamey - more than a suggestion of Châteauneuf du Pape although there is very marked acidity and tannin here.  Creditable ... no excesses.  Alliance have some real bargains in their Spanish selection. Luis Cañas Reserva 2002 Rioja 16, Drink 2005-10 Sweet and transparent ... perfectly fine for drinking now. Jancis Robinson.com  June 2008 Castello di Meleto 2005 Chianti Classico Dark crimson with a pale rim.  Pruney nose and lots of sweet fruit. Good value.  Very easy to like and complete-tasting.  A real mouthful of ripe fruit.  I wonder whether fruit that would go into a Riserva in other more successful vintages has been put into this bottling?

		Parker Review for Riesling TBA June 2008 2006 Freie Weingaertner Wachau Riesling Trokenbeerenauslese Kellerberg Honey and white pepper-laced pear and peach nectar saturate the palate here and there is not the least coraseness of botrytis expression but instead refinement of flavour and silken texture... Look for this beauty to perform well for at least a decade, although I can see no reason to wait.

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