Tony Love – National Wine Editor for taste.com.au and The Advertiser Newspaper, SA.

Wholesome Flavour $12
H by Haselgrove 2009 Cabernet Merlot

With a winery based in McLaren Vale, most of the fruit for this crackingly good wine comes from around the same region, with a decent splash also from the Adelaide Hills and Padthaway.  It’s worth noting its great fruit too, beautifully blackcurranty with a satisfyiung wholeness, good structure and backbone to develop for a few years yet.  A brilliant bargain.

Rating:  4 glasses – A cut above
Value:  Sensational
Food:  Black olive braised beef

Ross Noble – Wine Writer for The Courier Newspaper, Adelaide Hills, SA.

Eighteen top wines for Father’s Day
Salute:  Bella Vigna Shiraz

Haselgrove was acquired by four Italian Australians in 2008.  Greg Clack is chief winemaker.  The Haselgrove Bella Vigna Beautiful Vineyard Shiraz 2009 is sourced from some of McLaren Vale’s best vineayrds and it shows in the depth of flavour.  There are ripe raspberry and blackberry aromas and falvours and well intergrated oak.  It is a rich, and rewarding wine that deserves prime beef or game, or maybe full flavoured cheeses.
$25 – Mail Order

In 2008 the business was acquired by four Italian-Australian wine stalwarts:  Don Totino, Don Luca, Tony Carrocci and Steve Maglieri.  The wines are released in four ranges:  at the top, the Il Padrone The Boss Series; next the Bella Vigna (Beautiful Vineyard) Series; then the Primo Taglio First Cut Series; and at the entry level, the ‘H’ by Haselgrove Series.  Exports to Europe and Asia.

Four Glasses out of Five

Bella Vigna McLaren Vale Shiraz 2008

Right in the mainstream of McLaren Vale style; sumptuous blackfruits, dark chocolate and cedar are intertwined with ripe tannins; good length and balance.  Screwcap.  14.5% alc.  Rating 93.  To 2020.  $25

Il Padrone The Boss McLaren Vale Shiraz 2007

Some colour development; the complex bouquet of blackfruits, mocha oak and dark chocolate leads into a medium- to full-bodied palate with more of the same; a barrel selection, but all new French oak, made only in exceptional vintages – curious, because ‘07 was certainly not exceptional, rather the reverse.  However, hyperbole to one side, this is a very good wine.  Screwcap.  14.5% alc.  Rating 93.  To 2027.  $48

Bella Vigna Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Light straw-green; a thoroughly appealing mix of citrus/lime and tropical fruits; the finish lingering and long in the mouth.  Screwcap.  12% alc.  Rating 90.  To 2012.  $20

Haselgrove First Cut Pinot Grigio 2010
$15 – $17

The savoury, underplayed personality of pinot grigio finds good expression in the reasonably priced Adelaide Hills wine.  Pale with a tinge of gas, its subtle nashi pear, almond and white peach aromas have a slightly earthy edge.  The palate is light and dry, clean-tasting with a soft, dry, pear-like finish.  (11 percent alcohol, screw cap.)

Ageing?  No.
Food ideas:  Pasta with shellfish; grilled vegetable salad.
Stockists include:  Lower Plenty Cellars;  Red Bluff Cellars;  Black Rock

4 stars, $$

SERVE WITH WINE AT ROOM TEMPERATURE WITH ROAST DUCK OR MUSHROOM RAGU WITH POLENTA.
Enjoy now or cellar for up to five years to enhance complexity.

VINEYARD

Sourced from the Battunga Vineyard, a single vineyard at the southern end of the Adelaide Hills.

COLOUR

Medium cherry with a vibrant red hue.

AROMA

The aroma displays bright sweet raspberries with pretty notes of violet, perfume and vanilla.

PALATE

Fresh dark cherries and plums are balanced by touches of light oak, silky tannins and spice.

ALCOHOL 13.0%

$25 per bottle, $300 per dozen

SERVE THIS WINE SLIGHTLY CHILLED WITH SALMON GRAVLAX, CAPER BERRIES AND HERB CREME FRAICHE

REGION

Single vineyard in Kuitpo, Adelaide Hills

COLOUR

Brillian light green straw with a vibrant green hue.

AROMA

Fragrant and lifted aromas of peach, rockmelon, lime juice and hints of green apple supported by a subtle creaminess and hints of toast and cashew nuts.

PALATE

Voluptuous and round, the aroma characteristics follow onto the palate.  The supporting oak with extended lees contact adds texture and generous savoury length to the wine, which balances well with the crisp acid backbone.

ALCOHOL

13.0%

Price $20 per bottle, $240 per dozen

PERFECT WITH ANISEED TEA DUCK OR ASIAN PORKBELLY & STEAMED CHINESE GREENS
Serve this wine slightly chilled to enhance the fruit characteristics or cold for crisper characters.

REGION

Adelaide Hills

COLOUR

Brilliant light green straw with a vibrant green hue.

AROMA

The nose displays clean, fresh and subtle aromas of passionfruit, green grass, lime juice, lychee and peach.

PALATE

Ripe and rounded, the aromas characteristics follow onto the palate with citrus characters rather than tropical fruits, typical of the Adelaide Hills.

ALCOHOL  12.0%

PRICE  $20 per bottle, $240 per dozen

Download tasting note

SERVE WITH CHARGRILLED SQUID, SNOW PEA, CUCUMBER & MANGO SALAD WITH VERJUICE DRESSING.
This wine is best served lightly chilled and is perfect for immediate enjoyment.

REGION

Kuitpo, Adelaide Hills

COLOUR

Brilliant translucent with a youthful green tinge.

AROMA

Floral, honeysuckle, passionfruit, gooseberry and mango.

PALATE

Lush, fruit driven palate.  Tropical fruit, chilled apple and cucumber.  Great length and flavour

PRICE  $16 per bottle, $192 per dozen

SERVE WITH FRESHLY SHUCKED OYSTERS, KINGFISH SASHIMI & SEARED SCALLOPS
This fresh, fruit driven wine should be enjoyed now and is best served lightly chilled.

REGION

Paracombe, Adelaide Hills

COLOUR

Brilliant, very pale straw yellow.

AROMA

Nectarine, Nashi pear, white peach, hints of honey and orange blossom.

PALATE

Juicy, tropical, crisp pear, apple fruits wih mild fruit sweetness and balanced acidity.

PRICE  $16 per bottle, $192 per dozen