2023 Giant Steps Bastard Hill Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley, Victoria The term “bastard” in the Australian vernacular is a term of endearment. Think of “you little bastard!” Or, “what a bastard!” Both of these can be heard on the sporting field or even in the workplace. So, imagine coming across a vineyard with a slopeContinue reading “Wine Code Breaker #438”
Tag Archives: Yarra Valley
Wine Code Breaker #436
2017 Pimpernel Shiraz, Yarra Valley, Victoria The scarlet pimpernel has become much more than a flower. It is, of course, the symbol of the original superhero, Sir Percy Blakeney, the Scarlet Pimpernel. An expert swordsman, master of disguise, and deft escape artist, all wrapped up in a daring double life. Pimpernel Winery, started by aContinue reading “Wine Code Breaker #436”
Wine Code Breaker #435
2023 Luke Lambert Crudo Shiraz, Yarra Valley, Victoria One of the most terrifying scenes in The Godfather was Jack Woltz waking up to a horse’s head in his bed. As raw as it comes, the head was real having been secured from a local pet food manufacturer. You could even say as crudo as itContinue reading “Wine Code Breaker #435”
Wine Code Breaker #428
2021 Giant Steps Sexton Vineyard Chardonnay, Yarra Valley, Victoria Perpetual motion is the concept of a machine that can continue to operate indefinitely without any external energy source. Of course, this is theoretical as its greatest enemy is friction. Friction, however, is the friend of wine. We experience this through mouthfeel and the textural sensationContinue reading “Wine Code Breaker #428”
Wine Code Breaker #422
2020 Tonic Chardonnay, Yarra Valley, Victoria To white ant someone is to subvert or undermine from within. It is an Australian slang expression often used in reference to political groups. Of course, it comes from the action of termites that surreptitiously eat away at wooden structures from the inside, only for you to discover tooContinue reading “Wine Code Breaker #422”
Wine Code Breaker #211
2014 Mayer Cabernet, Yarra Valley, Victoria One from the archives…Samuel Pepys is reported to be the pioneer of the modern tasting note. In 1663 he described a recent tasting, for him at least, as follows “Drank a sort of French wine, called Ho Bryan, that hath a good and most particular taste that ever IContinue reading “Wine Code Breaker #211”
Wine Code Breaker #414
2022 Mayer Chardonnay Yarra Valley, Victoria The first recorded tasting note for a wine is credited to Samuel Pepys in 1663. His description of the wine was, “hath a good and most particular taste that ever I met with.” This description leaves a lot to the imagination. “Good” can mean many things. I do though likeContinue reading “Wine Code Breaker #414”
Wine Code Breaker #411
2022 Mayer Gamay, Yarra Valley, Victoria Carbonic maceration is a fermentation technique that has been made famous by the wines of Beaujolais. Under a blanket of carbon dioxide, at the top the fermentation process involves the conversion of sugars into alcohol occurring inside the individual grapes. At the bottom, conventional fermentation occurs, as the grapesContinue reading “Wine Code Breaker #411”
Wine Code Breaker #408
2021 Mac Forbes EB80 G-Train Grenache, Yarra Valley, Victoria The evolution of the Grenache style away from a blockbuster, high octane jube driven palate continues to amaze. It may even be a revolution. These wines are highly perfumed, textural, tauter / leaner framed while retaining the raspberry and blackberry fruit that makes it such aContinue reading “Wine Code Breaker #408”
Wine Code Breaker #407
2021 Mac Forbes Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley, Victoria What has the colour pink got to do with Pink Floyd? Nothing. Pink was in fact Pinkney Anderson, a blues guitarist who went by the name Pink. The Floyd part came from Floyd Council, another blues guitarist. A spur of the moment decision by Sid Barrett createdContinue reading “Wine Code Breaker #407”
The Unexpurgated Wine Code 