Angullong’s vineyard on the outskirts of Orange … whites that are fresh, aromatic and true to variety.
I keep reminding myself that these are a pair of white wines I shouldn’t be reviewing. Sauvignon blanc and pinot grigio … call it pinot gris, call it whatever you like … are normally two of my least favourite grape varieties.
I usually regard the varieties as weeds. As blots on the viticultural landscape. As wines taking up bottleshop and winelist space that should rightly be the preserve of royalty such as chardonnay, riesling and semillon.
Yet I find myself inexorably drawn to these two wines from Angullong, whose vineyards are perched on the edge of Mount Cabobolas, on the outskirts of Orange, in the Central West of NSW.
They’re wines that are fresh, aromatic and true to variety. They’re wines ideally suited to our lifestyle as the weather begins to warm up. So I will review them, and I will recommend them in the strongest of terms. Damn the torpedos, as Tom Petty, one of the finest rock performers would sing, damn the torpedos.
Visit www.angullong.com.au.
WINE REVIEWS
Angullong 2017 Pinot Grigio ($20): A vibrant, crisp dry white in the true Italian grigio style but with ample palate flavour for its price tag. I like its melon-like flavours and heartily recommend it both as an aperitif and an accompaniment to light chicken dish.
Angullong 2017 Sauvignon Blanc ($20): I reckon that Australia’s best sauvignons come from elevated climes such as Orange and the Adelaide Hills, and that they clearly outpace most of those from New Zealand’s Marlborough region. This dry white has plenty of palate depth and is a great match for fresh seafood.
WINE OF THE WEEK
Tim Adams 2015 The Aberfeldy Shiraz ($65): The Aberfeldy has long been one of my favourite reds. Much of the input comes from low-yielding, 100-year-old Clare Valley vines and it shows in the intensity of flavour that Tim regularly achieves. Its dark berry flavours and soft fullness make it a natural with most hearty meat dishes.
