Great Big Brand Aussie

It was trophy day at the International Wine Challenge this week and also a chance for the trade and consumers to try 130 of the 400+ gold medal winning wines. I was pouring some top grade Aussie wines from Wolf Blass. The brand is very familiar for its reliable, large chain red and yellow generic Aussie classics but offers some premium blends that are worth seeking out. Up from the red and yellow label, the firm offers a silver, gold, grey, black and its top platinum labels. No doubt someone at brand development was recruited from Mastercard!

Here are my thoughts on the IWC winning wines;

Wolf Blass Gold Label Chardonnay, Adelaide Hills 2008 (£15)

Adelaide Hills is one of the cooler Australian wine regions and the grapes are sourced from across the area. Pale straw in colour with a rich, clean nose, no mistaking this as an Aussie chardonnay. The flavour is led with a strong citrus flavour with a little pineapple behind. A very refreshing flavour and a well balanced wine.

Wolf Blass Gold Label Chardonnay, Adelaide Hills 2010 (£15)

A better vintage from, the 2010 was still coming together, but was clearly richer on the nose and palate. The citrus notes where still abundant with a rounder, buttery back bone. Not finished and will be a much nicer wine in two years time than the 2008 is right now.

Wolf Blass Gold Label Riesling, Eden Valley and Clare Valley 2010 (£15)

Great value from Australia’s top Reisling growing areas, at 400m+ both these regions are cool and this give this wine is crisp, limey acidity. With Clare known for its minerality and Eden for a more floral style, this wine brings both together, there is a hint of the petrol notes that will develop over time. A beautifully clean and refreshing wine that I would match with grilled sardines.

Wolf Blass Platinum Label Shiraz, Barossa 2006 (£75)

A block-busting Shiraz from the best area in Australia, this is as close as Wolf Blass does to a single estate, 80% from one lot, which can vary each year. The wine is still very young, dense and deep purple in colour it boasts and intense nose of leather, dark fruits, ground coffee and liquorish. The flavour is intense and still closed, if you are going to drink it now decant hours before drinking. Despite its youth, its is still yielding oral pressure and will develop for another 10-15 years at least.