Pondalowie Vineyard Blend 2004

I have written about how good the wines being made at Pondalowie are, so I won't harp on about that.  This wine is a blend of  Cabernet, Shiraz and 20% Tempranillo and sees some time in american and french oak.  The addition of tempranillo to the classic aussie blend really works well if this wine is anything to go by.

A nice nose of mulberry, a bit of cherry and toasty oak.  Medium bodied and savory in the mouth, the wine is really well balanced and satisfying.  Really good fruit, tart cherry and mulbery fruit is enhanced with a bit of undergrowth and spice. With more time a great plum character makes it self known, adding to the complexity.  Soft tannins and a medium finish.  I drank this in no time, its very morish - you will need at least two bottles.  You will be hard pressed to find better value for $20.  91 Pts.

Source: Winery Sample RRP: $20 Closure: Screwcap

Web: www.pondalowie.com.au

Pondalowie MT Tempranillo 2005

I thought I had the latest release with the 04MT, but those clever people at Pandalowie have already put out the 05 MT.  Of course I had to have a look at it straight away…

Quite different in style to the 04, a lot less of the cola/sarsaparilla aspects but beautiful, silky tannins that give the wine a great texture. I'm not sure if the change is a stylistic change in the vineyard/winery or just vintage variation.

Dark red fruits on the nose, herbs and spice with a bit of funk.  Great texture and weight in the mouth with blackberry, dark cherry and a hint of peeper and spice.  Quite a long finish. I don't see a lot of acid here, but the great tannins are the main attraction.  Different, but still very good.  88 Pts.

Source: Retail RRP: $25 Closure: Screwcap

Web: www.pondalowie.com.au

Pondalowie MT Tempranillo 2004

I think there is a big future for Tempranillo in Australia.  I bet this is not the first time you've heard that, but its wines like this that make you think "why aren't people planting this stuff like crazy?"  Oh yeah, that huge over-supply thing.  Regardless of all that, in 10 to 20 years time, I think we'll have some great tempranillo based wines produced in Australia.  Not the same as Rioja or Riberia, but our very own and very good Australian Tempranillo.

This wine is two firsts for Tinto y Blanco, the first Australian wine and the first wine under screwcap.  I hope to see a lot more of both.

Deep, dark red in colour.  Dark cherry on the nose with nice animally complexity.  Full of juicy, mouth coating fruit: blackberry, dark cherry and a sarsaparilla aspect that morphs into cola and florals with a bit of time in the glass.  Nicely balanced with smooth tannins.  The dry finish is a good length and leaves you wanting another sip.  If I was served this blind, I'd think it was a joven from Toro in a hot year, its a just bit lower in acid than it's Spanish mates. Muy bueno! 89 Pts.

Source: Retail RRP: $25 Closure: Screwcap

Web: www.pondalowie.com.au