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"Bloody Good" Richland Makes a Statement

By Peter Forrestal

The 2008 edition of Quaff by Peter Forrestal has just been released. Peter Forrestal is one of Australia's leading wine writers. He is a wine columnist for Perth's Sunday Times and writes about wine for many national and international publications. Once again, the Richland Sauvignon Blanc has been stated as one of Quaff's HALL OF FAME Reliables.

'After eight years of sniffing and slurping through thousands of wines for Quaff, there are a few that have never failed to impress. The list is slowly reducing in size. However, those that remain have been recommended in every edition, regardless of vintage or label change. Quaff salutes the Reliables.'

Forrestal considers the reliables as "consistent-quality wines, year in, year out. The Westend Richland Sauvignon Blanc is one of the Reliables having been reviewed in each edition of Quaff. it's stunning performance as most of the other Riverina, or indeed warm area, sauvignons lack intensity and concentration of flavour."

Rated as GOOD in Quaff, Forrestal comments on the Richland Sauvignon Blanc. "A drum roll for the Riverina's best and most consistant sauvignon blanc of all time. In 2007, it has that bright grassy, green bean character that heralds a crisp, clean, fruity wine".)

Richland Pinot Grigio is rated as 'BLOODY GOOD'. "A terriic quaffer, but it's not what you expect of Pinot Grigio - but i'm not sure it matters… Easy to like".

Also rated as 'BLOODY GOOD' in Quaff is the Richland Shiraz, Forrestal comments on this "fantastic wine".

"It's from Bill Calabria and his team at a standout Riverina Winery...their best red under the label...lively, juicy redcurrent and black plum flavours, is succulent and freshly, almost velvety, before a clean, refreshing finish. A delicious quaffer".

"The affable Bill Calabria and the guys at Westend Estate make some terrific wines" including the Richland Cabernet Merlot which is rated as 'BLOODY GOOD'. Forrestal considers this wine as "An attractive musk stick and blackberry pastille fragrances, smooth texture, dark plum and blackcurrent flavours...a good current drinking - though you could hold on to it for a little while".

Outback Cabernet Merlot, rated as 'PRETTY GOOD' by Forrestal who comments on "The Cheapie of Westend Estates ranges". Forrestal expresses the "musk stick aromas, sweet red berry flavours and firm, reasonably strong tannins".

Quaff Defined

quaff (kwof, kwaf, kwôf)

v., quaffed, quaff·ing, quaffs.
to drink heartily, or a hearty draught, depending on whether it is used as a noun or verb.

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