Mountain X 2007 Shiraz Pinot

A label created by Gary Walsh and Campbell Mattinson, Mountain X Shiraz was created by looking at the past and going with a blend that used to be made many many years ago which was Shiraz Pinot. This wine is made from Shiraz out the Somerset Vineyard in the Hunter and a touch of Pinot Noir from the Yarra Valley. Rhys Eather (who is the winemaker for Meera Park and several other labels) is the winemaker and let me just say, the combination of great fruit sourced by guys that really love wine and a brilliant winemaker like Rhys, really shows in this great combination.
Nose of leather, dark AND red fruit and a bit of pepper. I have no other way to put it but it smells juicy. It smells like a Hunter Shiraz but not quite. I'm guessing it must be the Pinot or my brain telling myself it must be the Pinot...Either way, very interesting nose.
As soon as the wine hits my mouth I'm thinking DEFINITELY Hunter Valley shiraz with the earth and leather and then I'm hit with very juicy red fruit and almost an orange juice flavor and refreshing acid. Has a hint of pepper and cloves. Soft tannins...Has very nice balance but quite different than what I would've expected from a mainly Hunter Shiraz. Nice length on the finish. Definitely a well made wine. The best way to summarize this wine would be a brighter, juicier Hunter Shiraz. I think there are only 150 cases made so tough to find. I think they're still available for around 30-35AUD. Great pickup for something different to what you'll normally see. I can see this wine having broader appeal than a standard Hunter Shiraz while still appealing to those that want a Hunter Shiraz.

Wine...

I've been in Australia now for almost four years and in that time I've tried many many different types of wine from all over Australia and while I doubt anyone else will actually read this, I figure it would be nice to actually start recording my thoughts more or less so I can see how my tastes evolve. I'll probably concentrate on stuff I really enjoyed or I thought was good value...

Currently my normal price range is about 20-60 dollars a bottle. Anything over that and it really has to be special (and sometimes I kick myself for not having pulled the trigger on some things) and I love finding bargains under 20. I tend not to buy too many of one thing (although sometimes I wish I did) because there are just too many things out there I want to try and especially when it's from a cellar door, it's a nice reminder of my trip, etc. Maybe when we move back to the US my buying habits will change (as I'll actually have cellar space and a permanent location)...

I like both red and white (Not so much rose) and I really enjoy both New and Old world which for some people might seem odd but, at least for now, I drink both although when I'm in Australia, it's almost 100% New World because anything that is from outside of Australia is ridiculous expensive. I like both dry and sweet wines... I will say that having lived in Australia, near Hunter Valley, has given me an appreciation for Semillon, which I think the Hunter does better than anywhere else in the world (granted, besides a few blends and sweet wines, not many places make Semillon).

That's enough blabbing for now....Next time I'll actually get to some wine..I think..