Cape Mentelle
Sauvignon – Sémillon 2011
In the south west corner of Australia the region around Margaret River produces some of the country’s greatest wines. The Aussies are known for Shiraz, as much to their benefit as their curse, since many of the other varietals are over-looked. Among some of these overlooked wines, Oz produces interesting whites at value prices. This ‘Bordeaux’ blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon is no exception. Completely steel-fermented, this is a fresh young wine that has nice herbs and minerality on the nose and notes of lime, honey dew and apples on the palette. Great with seafood or that shrimp on the barbie, or a hamburger… or Chinese food!
Scott Paul
La Paulee 2008
For the Pinot Noir fanatic, wine that isn’t from that utopia known as Burgundy is heavily scrutinized. It’s not surprising why. Pinot is a fickle grape with thin skin, it requires a cool climate, very specific weather and a great vintner it to shine.
Concerning the climate, its not hard to see why western Oregon fits the bill. Wine in the hands Scott and Kelly Paul is certainly going to be well taken care of. The Pauls get their fruit from some of Oregon’s premier sources Maresh, Ribbon Ridge and Momtazi vineyards. It undergoes all natural fermentation, aged for 10 months in French oak (20% new) and is bottled unfiltered. The result is fleshier pinot with structure, notes of black currant, cherries, clove and vanilla. A richly flavored, full bodied pinot that isn’t flabby or flat. This is an Oregon Pinot to really enjoy!