Pikes 2009 The Assemblage Shiraz Mourvedre Grenache

Anyone who has spent close to forty years following the evolution of the Australian wine industry has probably lost count of the trends and fads that have, predictably, come and gone.

Some, like the Ben Ean bubble are probably best described as necessary steps in the evolutionary process (the discovery that, yes, you can drink table wine, followed buy there's got to be something better than this. Mateus Rose, anyone?).

Others, including the Fume Blanc phenomenon and the great Rougolais debacle  are probably best described as well intentioned but ultimately fruitless sidetracks, while others (the discovery that, yes, you can do something with Sauvignon Blanc rather than turn it into Fume) are probably destined to be with us for a while.

Which will hopefully be the case with the current investigation of alternative alternative varieties, the rediscovery of Grenache and Mourvedre and the rising interest in Rhone-style blends like this little number.

Pikes 2009 The Assemblage Shiraz Mourvedre Grenache (4.5* $22) SMG rather than GSM, but very much in the same flavour profile. Medium bodied, brightly coloured, fruit- rather than oak-driven. Soft, savoury food-friendly style with a touch of elegance that is definite reorder material.

Pikes 2009 Gills Farm Mourvedre

While a box of cleanskin Clare Hills Riesling for $40, a case of Sangiovese Blend for $10/bottle and a six pack of Red Mullet Blend for $56 were automatic purchases (i'd figured I'd be able to split the first two fifty-fifty with someone or other, but that didn't quite happen) there was no way I was going to forego the chance to try the new release wines mentioned in the same email.

The 2009 Gill's Farm Mourvedre was the first one I tried out of the extra box, and, as can be seen below, I was impressed.

Pikes 2009 Gills Farm Mourvedre (4.5* $22) Savoury herb and spice characters through the nose and across the palate, a little violet and blackberry combining to produce a very easy drinking food friendly style. There'll be the odd bottle thrown into the next order.

Tahbilk 2009 Mourvedre (Relocated)

The sugo alla bolognese recipe called for a cup of red wine, the resupply of the wine I usually use for such purposes is on a truck somewhere between here and Tahbilk, and so I reached for the last bottle in the Cellar Door Reds dozen.

Tahbilk 2009 Mourvedre (4* 16 points $15.45) Deep red, savoury note with some tobacco notes in there, full on the palate and rather attractive, but didn't impress as much as the 08. When the next box arrives I'll be putting this one aside for a hearty winter stew.