pettavel wine reviews

2006 Evening Star Sauvignon Blanc

Quite a different flavour profile than most Australian Sauvignon Blancs with often seen passionfruit aromas accompanied by pear and stone-fruit characters. Richer palate – although with a mineral backbone – with spice and lychee flavours and lingering finish. Zesty acidity keeps the balance.

Christopher Hayes, Eat and Drink Online, February 2007

2006 Evening Star Sauvignon Blanc

“Bright and fruity, with more apricot and tropical fruit flavour than most Sauvignon Blancs. Drink Now.

H.S. Wine Spectator, Wednesday 15th November 2006

2005 Sauvignon Blanc

“Pleasant light yellow straw colour showing hints of lanolin, kiwifruit and grapefruit on the nose. Well balanced fruit and acid on a medium-weight body with an obvious viscous mouthfeel. Inviting pear, apple and citrus flavours well suited to a seafood meal. Delivers all the way with a lingering finish.”

Phillip Stubbs, The Geelong Advertiser, Saturday April 29th 2006

2006 Evening Star Riesling

“Deep yellow hues and lots of honeycomb, mandarin and treacle-like characters. Very soft in the mouth, with lovely length and intensity of lime-like flavours. A good, seamlessly balanced, wine.”

Rachel Gore, Geraldine McFaul, Rollo Crittenden, Wine State, May June 2007

2006 Evening Star Riesling

“An attractive light green straw colour with delicate floral and musk aromas drifting from the glass. Lighter weight body with very much an aromatic feel to this wine. Rounded soft spice flavours mingle with crisp green apple and lemon. The pleasantly long finish shows lifted floral and a spritzy dry edge.”

Phillip Stubbs, The Geelong Advertiser, Saturday January 26th 2007

2006 Evening Star Riesling

“Such a baby. I felt so guilty opening the bottle. It should lie in a cool dark place for at least two more years. Anyhow, brute that I am, the top was unscrewed and contents sniffed, tasted and spat. Very seductive nose, even at this early stage. As expected, very disjointed in the mouth but plenty of good flavour there. Needs time to settle and them it will be a great Riesling indeed.”

Tony Keys, The Key Review, March 2007

2005 Evening Star Riesling

“Getting there in regard to development, and a better wine to drink now rather than the 2006. Real depth of flavour, still pale-straw in colour and with a hint of good lime-scented nose that will also develop greater intensity. An almost perfect balance right across the palate. Acid still kicking out a little, ends well and good aftertaste.”

Tony Keys, The Key Review, March 2007

2005 Evening Star Riesling

“Pettavel’s Geelong vineyard has become a regional showplace in only six years, with good wines, and an excellent restaurant. This Riesling has an amazingly pungent, musky nose of mixed spices, stone fruit and citrus. The unctuous palate has rich spicy flavour of great persistence, finishing long and aromatic. Wow”

Ralph Kyte-Powell, The Age Epicure, Tuesday May 16th 2006

2004 Evening Star Riesling

“Visitors to the Bellarine Peninsula, the Surf Coast, or anywhere in south western Victoria should make a point of calling in to sample the current range at Pettavel on Colac Road just out of Geelong. This refreshing Riesling, with its alluring citrus and floral fragrances and lively palate, is but one example of an impressive array of reds and whites available.”

Paddy Kendler, The Herald Sun, Tuesday December 27th 2006

2004 Evening Star Riesling

“Lychee and apricot botrytis edge to the nose. Oily, viscous palate with spice apricot flavours and zesty, citrus-like acid. A very interesting style.

2004 Evening Star Riesling

“Greenish-gold colour with a spicy lemon zest nose. Very full bodied, strongly flavoured wine striking a happy balance of fruit and acid. Given the breadth of fruit intensity, this wine will age well in the short term and requires some equally robust food to do it justice. The lingering finish is highlighted by green apple and racy minerality.”

Phillip Stubbs, The Geelong Advertiser, Saturday May 27th 2005

2005 Evening Star Chardonnay

“Light straw gold appearance and soft honey and melon aromas on the nose. Lovely clean creamy feel in the mouth where very light oak provides a soft nutty feel. Of the flavours on show they are of the archetypal peach and stone fruit style matched with subdued acid leading to a satisfying finish.”

Phillip Stubbs, The Geelong Advertiser, Saturday October 7th 2006

2005 Evening Star Chardonnay

“Not long after opening a few years ago, Pettavel became a hot spot for the finest of food and was widely rated not only the best restaurant in or near Geelong but one of the true gems of regional Victoria. But don’t ignore the high quality of the Pettavel wines, especially this delightful chardonnay with its fresh citrus and melon characters enlivened by balancing acidity and enriched by a little French oak. Reasonably priced too.”

Paddy Kendlar, The Herald Sun, October 3rd 2006

2005 Evening Star Chardonnay

“Has density and juicy pear, peach and orange peel flavours. The finish lingers against a slightly fuzzy texture. Drink now through 2012.”

H.S. Wine Spectator, Wednesday 15th November 2006

2005 Evening Star Shiraz

“Complex medicinal aromas and flavours with jammy stewed plum notes. Palate spicy, long and well balanced.”

Rachel Gore, Geraldine McFaul, Rollo Crittenden, Wine State, May June 2007

2006 Evening Star Late Harvest Riesling

“Smells of musky roses and dried apricots. Intense apricot flavours with some attractive botrytis characters showing.”

Rachel Gore, Geraldine McFaul, Rollo Crittenden, Wine State, May June 2007

2006 Evening Star Late Harvest Riesling

“Intense honeyed citrus/apricot aromas follow through onto a soft, sweet and flavoursome palate.”

C.D. Wine State, May June 2007

2006 Evening Star Late Harvest Riesling

“Two acts of destruction in one day – I should be shot. Gold with green hints layered throughout in colour and a very close nose that will develop in time. The sweetness is intense at the moment and not pleasant, but there is enough acid underpinning it so that when they join and the wine moves into balance several years from now, this should also be a great wine.”

Tony Keys, The Key Review, March 2007

2006 Evening Star Late Harvest Riesling

“The colour is developed for its age; the bouquet has golden syrup, caramel and tea-leaf nuances with echoes of botrytis vanilla and honey. It’s smooth with more developed complexity than varietal riesling fruit.91/100. Food: summer pudding.”

Huon Hooke, Sydney Morning Herald, Tuesday March 6th 2007

2006 Evening Star Late Harvest Riesling

“Pettavel makes this dessert style wine from Riesling grapes out of the Geelong region in Southern Victoria. Light, fresh and invigorating come to mind when you smell the gorgeous aromas of this wine. A very pale yellow, still exhibiting its youthfulness well. Alluring and attractive in profile with passionfruit, lychees, perfumed apple and a touch of lemon ensuing. Quite complex and aromatic. Light, delicate and soft in acidity with a gentle mouthfeel. Well balanced and not cloying or overly sweet at all. Try with summer berry fruits and icecream.

Paul Ippolito, 5 Minute Wine Rush, Wednesday February 14th, 2007

2006 Evening Star Late Harvest Riesling

“The colour is forward, with golden tinges; the bouquet has golden syrup, caramel and tealeaf nuances with plenty of botrytis-derived vanilla and honey on palate. It’s round and smooth with deliciously developed complexity.”

Houn Hooke, Australian Gourmet Traveller Wine, April May 2007

2006 Evening Star Late Harvest Riesling

“Here we have an excellent example of an Australian auslese style. The varietal character is expressed purely, and there is a hint of tropical fruit to enhance the citrus characteristics. A highlight of the wine is the perfectly poised sugar-acid balance.”

Lester Jesberg, Wine Wise, April 2007

2005 Evening Star Late Harvest Riesling

“An enticing golden colour, this wine has an aroma burst of pineapple and delicate tropical notes with a hint of blossom – mmm, lovely – and those notes follow through on the palate. It’s rich, with a honeyed note and good acidity, leaving the palate feeling fresh, clean and ready for another glass. Drink now.”

Jane Faulkner, The Age A2 Magazine, Saturday May 27th 2006

2005 Evening Star Late Harvest Riesling

“This gorgeous wine smells of lemon, lime and spring flowers. Citrus flavours mingle with sweet fruit and racy acidity cleanses the palate. Try it with lemon tart.”

Sally Gudgeon, The Age Sunday Life, Sunday May 7th 2006

2005 Evening Star Late Harvest Riesling

“Sweet yet beautifully balanced, with refined acidity and pinpoint floral and fresh apple flavours against a backdrop of honey and spice. Drink now through 2012.”

H.S. Wine Spectator, Wednesday 15th November 2006

2005 Evening Star Late Harvest Riesling

“This extraordinarily sweet, almost painfully intense, wine is a ravishing pale lemon-gold color, and tastes like the essence of Riesling: lime juice, concentrated grape juice, nectarine juice, melon juice….. Drink with passionfruit tart”

Australian Gourmet Traveller, April 2006

2003 Platina Chardonnay

“This well-priced chardonnay, which is enticingly floral and delicate yet has intense, persistent tropical fruit and citrus flavours. Expect good complexity and a delicious aftertaste.”

Peter Forrestal, Australian Gourmet Traveller Wine, June July 2006

2004 Platina Chardonnay

“Bright and distinctive for its pineapple and guava fruit, picking up a zingy hint of lime on the finish against a modest level of spicy oak. Drink now through 2010.”

H.S. Wine Spectator, Wednesday 15th November 2006

2006 Platina Viognier

“Big,treacley, toffee apple-like bouquet and very sweet, soft palate with honeyed herbal flavours.”

Rachel Gore, Geraldine McFaul, Rollo Crittenden, Wine State, May June 2007

2005 Platina Viognier

“Soft and spicy, with hints of cinnamon and allspice weaving through the pear and lime flavours, lingering nicely. Drink now through 2008.”

H.S. Wine Spectator, Wednesday 15th November 2006

2004 Platina Pinot Noir

“Enticing nose of beetroot, plum and tobacco leaf, all well integrated. Finishes with soft tannins and has depth and complexity. 91/100”

Ken Gargett, The Courier Mail, Sunday April 7th 2007

2004 Platina Pinot Noir

“Cola, sarsparilla notes on the dark cedary nose. Lots of big sweet oak on the palate – some prune flavours.”

Winestate, November/December 2006

2003 Platina Pinot Noir

“The 2003 Platina is a star performer; complex and complete. Sweet ripe red berries, gentle florals and sweet hard spices all work together on the nose. The oak is in step with the fruit and it adds up to an alluring package. The palate has terrific intensity with a dark cherry flavour bundled into a juicy ball that unfolds across charry oak and densely packed tannins.”

Nick Stock, The Adelaide Review, April 7th – 20th 2006

2003 Platina Pinot Noir

The initial nose burst with white pepper and fresh ground nutmeg spice but settles as the warm strawberry and maraschino cherry fruit develops giving a warm Burgundian character. This, from a warm vintage,is forward and developed, drinking well right now, although the cellar will do no damage for a couple of years. The palate is soft and silky with fine structure and lingering finish … a lovely southern Burgundian style of Pinot that affords immediate pleasure at serious value.

Christopher Hayes, Eat and Drink, March 2007

2004 Platina Merlot Petit Verdot

A rather attractive drinking 60%merlot / 40% petit verdot blend that is rather unusual even in Bordeaux. However the two seem well suited from this source producing a wine that is full of sweet berry perfumes, hints of rose and spice combining in a charming wine ready for drinking. Soft and full with gentle tannin structure for balance, it shows better drinking attributes than most merlots around.

Christopher Hayes, Eat and Drink, March 2007

2004 Platina Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc

“A rich, vibrant cabernet with minty blackcurrant nose and palate. Good acid structure and firm tannins to balance.”

Rachel Gore, Geraldine McFaul, Rollo Crittenden, Wine State, May June 2007

2004 Southern Émigré Shiraz Viognier

“Floral, spicy aromas edged with orange peel. Good fruit weight on the palate, with very grippy tannins.”

Rachel Gore, Geraldine McFaul, Rollo Crittenden, Wine State, May June 2007

2003 Southern Émigré Shiraz Viognier

“Deep crimson colour with an enticing nose of rich fruitcake and spicy oak. Substantial body weight of flavoursome red currant, blackberry and light floral spice characters sitting alongside a fine tannin backbone. The addition of Viognier to this vintage has added interest with a delicate perfumed lift on the lingering finish.”

Phillip Stubbs, The Geelong Advertiser, Saturday November 12th 2006

2003 Southern Émigré Shiraz Viognier

There is much discussions about the merits of viognier addition to Shiraz – some is obvious beneficial in most cases – as to how much and how. This only has 5% addition and, although it’s not dominant on the nose it certainly has an impact but broadening the fruit rather than adding perfume. The 18 months in new French oak has also added an extra element and combines at this early stage to subdue the fruit character. But is complex and interesting and the palate has a lovely silky texture and loads of fruit and spice flavour that more than makes up for it … long and lingering, fleshy and finely structured. Geelong shiraz (Bannockburn as the leading example to date) has often charmed me and Pettavel seem poised to take up the banner.)

Christopher Hayes, Eat and Drink, March 2007

2002 Southern Émigré Shiraz

“Outstanding. This 2002 shiraz is made from grapes grown on the banks of the Moorabool River. A big, plum, rich shiraz with tonnes of spice and black pepper on the nose.”

Michael Goodger, The Echo, Friday October 21st 2006