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ALBARIÑO
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| 2008 |
90 POINTS |
James Halliday Australian Wine Companion,
2010 Edition
Dry, fresh and chalky palate; while the fruit flavours tend to neutrality, the wine has balance, length and a clean finish, characters which (presumably) earned it a Gold medal Sydney International Wine Competition 2009. Screwcap. 12.5% alc.
Rating: 90
Drink to: 2012
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90 POINTS |
JAMES HALLIDAY in The Weekend Australian Magazine, June 27-28 2009
It hardly need be said these are early days, and young vines in the King Valley grow enthusiastically if given the chance. Thus the colour is light, the bouquet crisp, then a dry, fresh and chalky palate; while the fruit flavours tend to neutrality, the wine has balance, length and a clean finish, characters which (presumably) earned it a gold medal at the Sydney International Wine Competition '09. Screwcap: 12.5% alc/vol: drink to 2012.
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TED RADKE PERPETUAL TROPHY |
2009 SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL WINE COMPETITION
Best Table Wine made from a Lesser recognised Grape Variety
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BLUE-GOLD AWARD &
TOP 100 |
2009 SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL WINE COMPETITION
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DELICIOUS |
TONI PATERSON in Australian House & Garden,
March 2009
This aromatic white is fun, lively and fresh with pear, white peach and subtle floral characters. It is delicious when served well-chilled.
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RALPH KYTE-POWELL in Uncorked The Age
November 25 2008
Australian winemakers are probably the most adventurous in the world, ever willing to try something novel. In the area of grape varieties, this means that wine lovers are continually presented with something new to try. Victoria's King Valley is a place where such exploration is common, and Arnie Pizzini at Chrismont vineyard has great success with some of the weird and wonderful grapes. Albariño originates in northern Spain and Chrismont La Zona sums up the type well. It has white peach aromas of mellow fragrance, hints of spice, a smooth, juicy pear-like flavour and a savoury, dry finish. Easy to like. Ageing? Drink over two years. Food ideas: Roasted fish, Galician-style seafood stew.
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WINESTATE MAGAZINE
North East Victoria Tasting
November/December 2008
Intense, pungent aromas and big, generous palate with lovely green apple characters and pungency following on from the nose.
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ARNEIS
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| 2008 |
87 POINTS |
James Halliday Australian Wine Companion,
2010 Edition
A generous wine full of pear fruit on the bouquet and palate; plenty of richness, and a touch of anise on the mid-palate provides interest. Screwcap. 12% alc.
Rating: 87
Drink to: 2012
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COMPLEX |
GLYNIS MACRI in Italianicious
March/May 2009
Originally from Piedmonte in Italy's north west, Arneis is now a popular grape in the Victorian King Valley region. Chrismont's version is a beautiful pale yellow in colour with green highlights; the palate is dry and full bodied with flavours of pears and apricots. A complex wine, it finishes with a bitter almond taste that cleanses the palate.
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HIGHLY COMMENDED |
2009 SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL WINE COMPETITION
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SALLY GUDGEON and RALPH KYTE-POWELL in
Sunday Life - The Age & Sun-Herald Magazine
November 23 2008
Chrismont is a friendly little winery in Victoria's sleepy King Valley. This drop has an Italian feel, with delicate pear-like fruit trimmed in savoury almond and chalky elements. The palate is smooth and easy, with fruity flavour and a very long, savoury finish. FOOD: antipasto AGEING: Drink now to 2010.
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PADDY KENDLER in Herald Sun
October 28 2008
Chrismont is a worthy member of a pioneering band of King Valley family wineries placing a special emphasis on Italian grape varieties. Its arneis, modelled on the original from Piemonte, is an interesting and most enjoyable wine, more than just a novelty and definitely worth tracking down. The more obvious fruit flavours are apple, pear, stone fruit and hay, while the texture is of medium density.
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WINESTATE MAGAZINE
North East Victoria Tasting - Top in Category
November/December 2008
Perfectly correct varietal nose that smells of pears and hazelnuts with some citrus blossoms thrown in. These characters are echoed on the long, weighty palate and fill the mouth with flavours.
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FERGUS McGHIE in Canberra Times
September 3 2008
After a disastrous 2007, when the King Valley was ringed by fires just before vintage, it's good to see the 2008 wines are on their way to our shelves and looking great. Chrismont's Arneis is packed with crunchy pear and green apple fruits, while the palate has good weight and feel in the mouth. Try with roast pork.
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DAVID SUTHERLAND in Border Mail
August 15 2008
ARNEIS is a piedmontese variety from Italy's north-west.
Apparently it is difficult to cultivate, which explains its regional Italian dialect translation of "little rascal".
The grape has recently come back into fashion in Italy and Australia, more specifically in the King Valley, as it is from here that some lovely wines are emerging.
Jo and Arnie Pizzini, with winemaker Warren Proft, continue to do great things in the upper reaches of the valley. This is delightful, with fresh peach and pear on the nose, pure and fresh. The palate is clean and crisp with ripe sweet fruitiness and fresh acidity. The alcohol is delightfully low (12 per cent) and this will be a great drink over the coming summer months.
with food: antipasto, mussels in white wine
ageing: drink over the next two years
in a word: gorgeous
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PINOT GRIGIO
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| 2008 |
87 POINTS |
James Halliday Australian Wine Companion,
2010 Edition
Seems to have a little more texture than most, although the flavours are in usual spectrum of pear and apple.
Screwcap. 12.5% alc.
Rating: 87
Drink to: 2010
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DAVID SUTHERLAND in Border Mail
April 17, 2009
Pinot grigio is the Italian version of the French pinot gris.
The lattter can be rich, alcoholic and textural whereas the former is usually crisp, lean and dry with subtle fruit.
The French style needs robust food whereas the Italian style is more versatile with food.
Fermented in stainless steel to retain its natural fruity appeal, the colour is pale straw and bright.
The nose is inviting, with hints of citrus, green apple and roasted almonds and the palate is delightfully crisp and clean with more apple and pear characters to the fore.
Nicely balanced with good length, lowish alcohol (12.5 per cent) and sealed with a screwcap.
with food: seafood, chicken salads
ageing: drink within two years
in a word: classical |
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FERGUS McGHIE in The Canberra Times
January 28 2009
I first came across Chrismont’s La Zona Pinot Grigio at Richmond Hill Cafe in Melbourne in the late ‘90s. Since then it’s never failed to impress...This wine is another cracker from the Chrismont team. It’s a welcome return after the devastation of the 2007 bushfires that wiped out the entire King Valley vintage. Subtle and perfectly varietal, the ’08 pinot grigio harnesses flavours of honey, nougat, ripe brown pears and finishes with elegant balanced acidity. The bottle disappeared effortlessly. |
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 2006 Vintage 2005 2004
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PROSECCO
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| NV |
87 POINTS |
James Halliday Australian Wine Companion,
2010 Edition
A spicy, bony aperitif; deliberately made in a bone-dry fashion, taking its inspiration from Northern Italy. Crown Seal. 12.5% alc.
Rating: 87
Drink to: 2010
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Toni Paterson – Australian House & Garden,
September 2009
A spicy, bony aperitif; deliberately made in a bone-dry fashion, taking its inspiration from Northern Italy. Crown Seal. 12.5% alc.
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FERGUS McGHIE in The Canberra Times
March 18 2009
Travellers to Italy often return enamoured of prosecco. It's Italy's famous sparkling wine with its light, fresh simplicity, it drinks all too easily. Examples in Australia are quite hard to find, either imported or locally grown, so Chrismont's prosecco is a welcome addition to the range. If it's time for a fresh change in your bubbly diet, this is the one to try. |
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DAVID SUTHERLAND in Border Mail
March 13, 2009.
This is the first release of Prosecco sparkling from Chrismont and, as usual with this producer, it's a very good wine.
Prosecco is a traditional variety from the Friuli region of northeast Italy and is used mainly for the production of sparkling wine. This is a fruit-focused wine but it is crisp, clean and elegant without the obvious sweetness that some of it's competitors possess.
With subtle yeastiness on the nose and palate, the flavour profile is mainly citrus and almonds with a touch of herbal character as well. The alcohol is appropriate at 12.5 percent and the wine is sealed with a crown seal.
with food: a good aperitif, with calamari or cream-based pasta dishes.
ageing: drink within two years
in a word: refreshing |
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ROSATO MEZZANOTTE
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| 2010 |
Attractive Balance |
Wine 100 (Reviewed by Nick Stock)
2010 Edition
A brambly nose of leaf and herb with some red fruits drizzled across the top - this blend of Sangiovese, Barbera and Marzemino has a distinctly Italian feel. The palate brings some poached strawberry flavour and finishes with attractive balance. Drink chilled with antipasto.
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| 2008 |
90 POINTS |
James Halliday Australian Wine Companion,
2010 Edition
Salmon-pink; has a burst of spice from the Sangiovese/Barbera/Marzemino used to make the wine; good balance, length and a dry finish. Screwcap. 12.5% alc.
Rating: 90
Drink to: 2009
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ONE OF KIND |
GLYNIS MACRI in Italianicious
March/May 2009
A vibrant cherry-red with orange highlights, unlike many rosé wines, this one has a lively nose of berry fruits and jam as well as rose petals, violets and candy. The palate has lingering cranberry and strawberry flavours with crisp acidity on the lengthy finish. |
| 2005 |
QUINTESSENTIAL
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MARYANN EGAN in
Essentials Magazine
Summer 2006/2007
Made from sangiovese [barbera] and marzemino, this is
your quintessential Italian rosé - full of cherries and spice yet serious enough
not to be tossed into the simple fruity pink wine category. Instead of a
heavy-bodied red, chill a bottle of this on a summery night then throw on some
Asian marinated pork ribs onto the barbeque - heaven. |
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WINESTATE
November/December 2006
Pale salmon colour. Classic strawberry nose. Palate sweet but
not too obvious, with some spiciness. Has a big structure and good
texture. Easy to drink. |
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A FAVOURITE
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JANE FAULKNER in The Age
January 8 2006
Ah, just the thing on a balmy summer's day, or night - here [is one] of my favourites...Another easy drinking rosé, this time from the King Valley. It's the run-off juice of three Italian varieties, barbera, marzemino and sangiovese, which is done at midnight, hence the name mezzanotte. A nose of strawberry, cherry and a hint of freshly rolled tobacco that follow through on the palate. It's fruit-sweet and juicy with a savoury edge then finishes fresh and clean.
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MARZEMINO
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| 2004 |
IMPRESSIVE |
PADDY KENDLER in Herald-Sun
September 19 2006
50 FANTASTIC WINES
An impressive King Valley version of a northern
Italian red varietal showing delectable plum and cherry fruit laced with
sweet spice and a dry twist of tannin. |
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FERGUS McGHIE in Canberra Times
August 30 2006
A recent trip to the King Valley found me in love with the High Country
scenery, but I've been a fan of the region's wines for some time. The
Chrismont Marzemino is one of the new breed of wines to appeal to
Australian drinkers, lean dry and elegant, it has aromas of violets,
bitter chocolate and red berries. A fine backbone of acidity and dusty
tannins leave the palate craving another drop and some food. 4.5 / 5 |
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89 |
JAMES HALLIDAY in Australian Wine Companion
2007 Edition
Good colour; firm, fruit-driven wine with plum and black cherry fruit;
long palate, needs to soften a bit. DRINK 2010 |
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BRIGHT & LIVELY |
MAX ALLEN in Weekend Australian
August 5-6 2006
Originally from the hilly country of Trentino in north-east Italy,
the red marzemino grape is also at home in the King Valley in north-east
Victoria. Bold purple in the glass, this is a delicious, medium-bodied
[12.5 per cent alc] wine, with dark cherry fruit and some fresh acidity
and tight, ever-so-slightly bitter tannins. Bright and lively. |
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EXCELLENT PARTNER
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WINSOR DOBBIN in Australian Golf Magazine
April 2006
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Winestate Italian Varietals Tasting
May/June 2006
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EXCELLENT
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WINSOR DOBBIN on www.pmdwines.com.au
Chrismont may be onto something with an exciting new release pair of wines made from the northern Italian grape variety marzemino. The La Zona 2004 Marzemino is more successful than its lightly sparkling frizzante brother, a still wine that is a big, rich, full-flavoured beast with some enticingly savoury characters on the palate and some elegance. It would be an excellent partner for game dishes or osso bucco.
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87
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TYSON STELZER on www.tysonstelzer.com
December 28 2005
A complex bouquet of sarsaparilla, star anise, cloves, cinnamon and savoury spice introduces a tart palate with savoury berry fruit. The profoundly sour palate of this wine should not be approached without food. Even then, exercise caution. Good wine. Like it.
BEST DRINKING: 2005 to 2007
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2002 Vintage |
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BARBERA
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| 2006 |
88 POINTS |
James Halliday Australian Wine Companion,
2010 Edition
Has a considerable volume of tarry/spicy, savoury black fruit flavours on the mid-palate, yet doesn't follow through on the finish. Screwcap. 14% alc.
Rating: 88
Drink to: 2014
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| 2005 |
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WINESTATE MAGAZINE
North East Victoria Tasting
November/December 2008
Savoury wine - great with food. Some briary notes on the nose and cherries and oak on the palate. |
| 2004 |
88 |
JAMES HALLIDAY in Australian Wine Companion 2009
A high-toned, incisive mix of plum, black cherry and spice intermingling with notes of mint and citrus. To 2012. |
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LOVELY |
ITALIANICIOUS
DEC 2007-FEB 2008
Deep, dark red with lovely plummy flavours, this wine is a good example of what Australia can produce: not a copy but its own style of full-bodied red that emulates the original Barbera of Piemonte. Rich, concentrated plum and chocolate with hints of berry fruits and ripe, soft tannins make it an ideal match for robust meat dishes.
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2002 Vintage |
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SANGIOVESE
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| 2006 |
94 POINTS |
James Halliday Australian Wine Companion,
2010 Edition
Bright red colour; lively, juicy cherry fruit charged with fine, ripe tannins on the long, harmonious palate. Screwcap. 14% alc.
Rating: 94
Drink to: 2016
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| 2005 |
90 POINTS |
GARY WALSH on www.winorama.com.au
July 16 2008
I’ve a dozen or so local Sangiovese in a box in the front room, and all things considered, you’d have to give the King Valley the nod as being a bit of a pioneer with this variety, so by Jove I’ll give them a run first.
Showing some bottle age and offering a range of flavours - almond, cherry, leather, coffee and liquorice. It’s medium bodied and has savoury earthy qualities mingling with cherry and red berry fruit. Firm but fine powdery tannins and good acid balance all contribute to make this a most attractive and toothsome wine with a high drinkability factor. It’s got personality and interest too - I like it a lot.
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88 |
JAMES HALLIDAY in Australian Wine Companion 2009
A savoury wine with red cherries and a hint of mint; quite tannic, as you would expect from Sangiovese. To 2009. |
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4.5 / 5.0 |
PADDY KENDLER in Herald Sun
October 2 2007
Yet another King Valley spin on a classic Italian grape, in this case the Tuscan sangiovese, which has had some mixed success so far in Australia. La Zona has a little more grip and grunt than most, a more interesting combination of flavours with more depth and substance.
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A REAL LIFT |
GREG DUNCAN POWELL in Sydney Morning Herald
September 15 2007
This King Valley sangiovese is a succulent, easy-drinking red but its real forté is at the table. With cherry and aniseed aromas and typical dusty sangiovese tannins, it has a food-friendly weight and balance and can give a basic braise a real lift. |
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AN IDEAL MATCH |
RICK ALLEN on www.pmdwines.com
One of the King Valley's specialists in Italian varieties, so it's no surprise this is an enjoyable wine. Mid-red in colour, it has fleshy dark cherry and ripe plum flavours that lead to a spicy finish with slightly dusty tannins. There is a savouriness to the wine that would make it an ideal match for a wide range of foods. Steak would be great...most enjoyable.
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2004 Vintage 2003
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SANGIOVESE CABERNET
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| 2004 |
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DAVID SUTHERLAND in Border Mail
August 22 2008
This is the second sangiovese-cabernet blend I have looked at in the past week.
Many folk probably look at the combination of these two varieties and shake their heads, but there is strong, albeit relatively recent, tradition in the wine world of blending these two grapes.
The youthful colour is good here and the nose follows on with dark berry and cherry aromas, without significant oak influence, which is a plus.
The palate is subtle but complex, relying on savouriness and elegance with balanced structure and firmness, rather than overt fruitiness, in a very Italian style. Four parts sangiovese to one part cabernet.
with food: match with slow-cooked braised red meats and root vegetables
ageing: will develop beautifully over the next 10 years
IN A WORD: classy |
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89
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JAMES HALLIDAY in Australian Wine Companion 2009
A savoury wine with red cherries and a hint of mint; quite tannic, as you would expect from a sangiovese. To 2009. |
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89
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GARY WALSH on THE WINE FRONT
August 12 2008
It smells of blackcurrant and cherry with mint and a waft of smokiness then comes a medium bodied palate offering cool minty blackcurrant flavours, pretty strong dry tannins and a good finish - although it’s dryly tannic too. A food style if ever there was one but a good wine all the same. ABV: 14%. Drink 2008-2011. 89 points. |
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MARZEMINO FRIZZANTE
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NV
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DELIGHTFUL |
CHRIS SHANAHAN in Canberra Times
December 9 2007
Try Marzemino Frizzante for something different: a slightly effervescent (frizzante) red made from the Italian variety Marzemino. It’s totally unlike traditional Aussie red sparklers – which tend to be older and more serious-red-wine-like. Marzemino’s flavours, to me, seem more summer-pudding like with lots of tangy berry character. The light bubblies zest this up even more. And a touch of residual sugar balances those delightful berry flavours and acidity. I tried it recently with Thai food and it worked well. |
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WINESTATE
November/December 2006
Smells like spicy clove jelly crystals. Sweet fizz palate - clean and
simple. A sound commercial style. |
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88 |
JAMES HALLIDAY in Australian Wine Companion
2007 Edition
The sweetness (35 grammes per litre) is more evident than the CO2
spritz, but in the end result the balance is good, the jam/coulis
flavours not too high. Not everyone's cup of tea, perhaps. DRINK
2008 |
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TOP DROP |
MARYANN EGAN in donna hay
May/June 2006
You can't go past Marzemino when it's served with figs, ricotta and prosciutto antipasto. Originally from northern Italy, this lesser known variety is grown here in northern Victoria and made into a lightly fizzy - Frizzante - style red.
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DISCOVER
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GREG DUNCAN POWELL in Sydney Morning Herald
February 11 2006
This is an interesting take on the sparkling red. Made from the food-friendly Italian grape marzemino - a variety more famous for featuring in the lyrics of Mozart's Don Giovanni than anything else - it's a little more savoury and less fizzy than Australian shiraz-based sparkling red and the La Zona is much easier to match with food.
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90
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TYSON STELZER on www.tysonstelzer.com
December 28 2005
If you're chasing a sweet red with plenty of fruit and a smooth structure, here's a wine like nothing else you've experiences. An utterly enticing bouquet of lifted violets, red berry fruit cocktail throws to a sweet, softly spritzig palate with sweet, succulent mulberry fruit, savoury hints and fine tannins. Very good wine. Like it.
BEST DRINKING: 2005 to 2006
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