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RIESLING
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| 2008 |
89 POINTS |
James Halliday Australian Wine Companion,
2010 Edition
Has an attractive combination of citrus and tropical fruit aromas and flavours; an each-way proposition for now or later drinking. Screwcap. 12% alc.
Rating: 89
Drink to: 2013
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DAVID SUTHERLAND in Border Mail
April 17 2009
Chrismont winery is hidden away up in the higher reaches of the King Valley, between Whitfield and Lake William Hovell.
Beautiful country and the wines are pretty good as well.
In fact, Chrismont has been leading the quality stakes in that region for a while.
Winemaker Warren Proft and proprietors Arnie and Jo Pizzini are a formidable team.
This wine is pale and bright. The nose is floral and tropical, with hints of citrus and honeysuckle.
The palate is classically crisp but with ripe tropical characters and good fruit weight. Drinking really well now.
with food: as a stand-alone aperitif, or fish and chips
ageing: great now or cellar for another four to six years.
in a word: smart |
| 2006 |
92 |
TYSON STELZER in WBM 100
March 2009
This is sensational value for a Riesling with a touch of aged complexity. It's complex and enticing with a panoply of aromas of Chinese spices, stone fruits, citrus and honey biscuits. The palate adds grapefruit and baked peaches, riding on a chassis of fine, tight acidity. |
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90 |
JAMES HALLIDAY in Australian Wine Companion 2009
A hint of reduction on the bouquet; good flavour, with lemon and a mineral core that carries through on the finish. To 2014. |
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PERFECT |
RICK ALLEN in Manly Daily
August 1 2008
An under-rated variety in the King Valley where the Italian varietals dominate, and picturesque Chrismont invariably produces one of the best. It's tight and zesty in the mouth, with citrussy lime, lemon and tropical fruit flavours. This is perfect to take to the local Chinese or to enjoy with seafood. |
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90 |
HUON HOOKE in Sydney Morning Herald Good Living
July 22 2008
A classically dry, restrained riesling from the King Valley. This drop is pale-coloured, ethereal and delicate with a refined texture and excellent balance. It makes for great drinking. Have now or in four years' time, or more.
FOOD: Pan-fried whiting |
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RALPH KYTE-POWELL in The Age Epicure
June 3 2008
Arnie and Jo Pizzini's friendly Chrismont cellar door is a good place to visit if you're passing through Victoria's King Valley. Riesling does well in the district and Chrismont's is a very good, traditionally styled example. Lime and apple aromas have an edge of steely austerity and it tastes intense, dry and structured.
Ageing? Drink over three years
Food ideas: Fritto misto of seafood; grilled fish |
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FERGUS McGHIE in The Canberra Times
May 28 2008
The warm days and cool nights of the King Valley are perfectly suited to aromatic varieties such as riesling. Chrismont is one of the best makers and this '06 is delicious. Beautifully balanced with floral aromas, the palate is fresh and crisp with hints of green apple and citrus. It will keep but to drink it now is a pleasure, so don't bother waiting. |
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DAVID SUTHERLAND in Border Mail
May 20 2008
Pale and youthful in colour, there are aromas of citrus and lime blossom to entice the drinker further. The palate is crisp and clean, with a steely acid backbone to the citrus and slight tropical characters. Chrismont Rieslings appear to develop slowly--thankfully.
with food: Thai cuisine, or fish
ageing: drink some time over the next six to eight years
in a word: delicious |
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 Previous Vintages
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CHARDONNAY
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| 2004 |
89 |
JAMES HALLIDAY in Australian Wine Companion 2009
Very toasty bouquet and palate, but with lively citrus fruits at the core; quite youthful for its age, but should be enjoyed soon. To 2009. |
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WINESTATE MAGAZINE North East Victoria Tasting
November/December 2008
Top in Category
Full, fresh, lively chardonnay showing excellent balance between pure, zesty citrus fruit, vanillin oak and buttery malo characters. There's balance, texture and length. |
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SALLY GUDGEON in Sunday Life Magazine
June 8 2008
This King Valley winery is really hitting its straps, with both French and Italian varieties. This interesting, earthy chardonnay has aromas of melons, grapefruit and toasty oak. It's succulent and layered on the palate, with a flinty note and well-handled oak adding complexity.
Food: Pea and ham risotto.
Ageing: Drink now to 2011.
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DELICIOUS |
WINSOR DOBBIN in Out There
In-flight Magazine, Regional Express
Arnie Pizzini’s Chrismont team produces some excellent Italian varietals under the La Zona label, but also has a deft touch with more traditional styles. This is a delicious chardonnay with a touch of age, displaying some ripe fig flavours on a well-rounded classic palate that also shows plenty of spicy oak and stone fruit characters. Try it with roast chicken.
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| 2003 |
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Winestate North East Victoria Tasting,
November/December 2005
An elegant wine with a subtle lift of white peach aromas. Lightly flavoured palate has good structure and balance.
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92/100 |
JAMES HALLIDAY on www.winepros.com.au,
May 20 2005
Very well made; medium-bodied; nectarine and cashew/creamy mix; good length and balance; major surprise. Cork.
BEST DRINKING: 2005 to 2008
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PETIT MANSENG
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| 2006 |
89 |
JAMES HALLIDAY in Australian Wine Companion 2009
Made from a variety found in southwest France, this wine is all about texture; subdued on the bouquet, the palate offers an array of flavours, from fresh fig, lemon and hazelnut; very interesting. To 2009. |
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A MUST BUY |
TONI PATERSON MW
Wine Diva Wine of the Month February 2008
This amazingly delicious Petit Manseng from the quality producer Chrismont is a must buy this season. Although little known in Australia, the variety is popular in South West France for its fruit and floral characters, heightened by high acidity. This King Valley example is bursting with sweet-fruit flavours and beautiful bright acidity. There are gentle almond characters of the nose as well as a hint of fresh cream. It is a delight to drink and can accompany a wide range of foods. |
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90 |
NICK STOCK in Wine Business Magazine 100
February 2008
Sure you’ve got a raging passion for Petit Manseng, sure you do! This is a barrel fermented version, making the most of the King Valley’s cool-climate acidity. Shows ripe tropical fruits, integrated oak, creamy texture and a savoury finish. |
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GORGEOUS |
MAX ALLEN in Weekend Australian Magazine
October 6 2007
Non, je ne regrette rien. The fragrant, flavoursome petit manseng grape, originally from southwest France, has found a happy new home in northeast Victoria: this dry-but-rich, barrel-fermented example has gorgeous flavours of quince, honey and aniseed.
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RICH...FRESH |
CHRIS SHANAHAN in Canberra Times
August 19 2007
Petit manseng, a white variety grown in Jurançon, southern France, makes what Jancis Robinson calls ‘one of France’s unusually underrated treasures, Jurançon Moelleux’ – a seductively juicy, sweet, long-lived white. This dry King Valley version shows the yeast-lees influence and vanilla-like character of oak fermentation and maturation. But the full, vaguely pineapple-like fruit flavour carries these winemaker inputs comfortably. The result is a rich, fresh, oak-influenced dry white with a flavour all its own and worth trying. |
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DAVID SUTHERLAND in Border Mail
June 29 2007
Petit manseng is a variety rarely seen in Australia, and indeed the world, save for its native home in the French Pyrenees.
The oak is evident on the nose and the palate is rich and supple with tropical and stone-fruit flavours ....
with food: seafood, chicken, veal
ageing: will develop with another three years
in a word: interesting |
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SAUVIGNON BLANC
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| 2004 |
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Winestate North East Victoria Tasting,
November/December 2005
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MERLOT
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| 2005 |
90 |
JAMES HALLIDAY in Australian Wine Companion 2009
Fresh and vibrant, with Italian-like savoury, drying tannins; good depth and structure, and shows the heritage of its makers; made for food. To 2012. |
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CABERNET SAUVIGNON
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| 2004 |
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DAVID SUTHERLAND in Border Mail
October 5 2007
Arnie and Jo Pizzini established the Chrismont vineyard in 1980 with classic French varieties to the fore. The La Zona label came on the scene later to focus on the incredible interest in Italian varieties the family was planting. This cabernet shows attractive and intense dark berry aromas with a touch of oak on the nose, and ripe, fleshy fruit on the palate.
with food: delightful with lamb or fillet steak
ageing: will continue to gain complexity for six to eight years
in a word: stylish |
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WINESTATE
July/August 2007 Equal Top In Category
A stylish and very well made wine. "Beautiful and opulent," enthused one judge. It has it all: plums and blackberries, toasty oak, lots of spices, hints of anise and a sprinkling of pepper. |
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BLUE-GOLD |
SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL WINE COMPETITION 2007 |
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SHIRAZ
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| 2004 |
SILVER |
119TH ANNUAL RUTHERGLEN WINE SHOW |
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88 |
JAMES HALLIDAY in Australian Wine Companion,
2007 Edition
Good colour, clean, firm, clear varietal fruit expression; subtle oak. DRINK 2010 |
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