This is a very typical Barossa shiraz from Pirathon Wines. This is their “silver” label, and it has a lovely aroma of rich plums, earth and soy. The palate is full bodied, with good length and a warming finish. Ready to drink now. Rating: Good to Very Good. Abv: 14.5%. Price: <$25. Website: https://www.pirathon.com. Source: Sample. Reviewed: October 2019.
Labelled as shiraz, this is in fact a blend of 88% shiraz and 12% cabernet franc. I cannot easily think of where this blend might otherwise appear in the world. It opens to an aroma of game, clove, plums and spice. The palate is full fruited, with cedar undertones (oak is 10% new). Rating: Good. Abv: 14.3%. Price: $40. Website: https://terreaterre.com.au. Source: Sample. Reviewed: September 2019.
This 2012 wine from Sylvie Esmonin presented somewhat atypically for a Gevrey-Chambertin Clos Saint-Jacques, an appellation that I have taken a liking to, unfortunately. Its expression is very youthful and ripe, with overt cedar and sulphur characters. On the palate, it has intense fruit and good length. Overall, I think this wine will benefit from medium term cellaring for at least 5 to 8 years, rather than drinking now. Rating: Good. Abv: N/A. Price: N/A. Website: N/A. Reviewed: August 2019.
This is a refined Morey-Saint-Denis Clos de la Bussière from Domaine Roumier and the 2007 vintage. Its aromas remind of redcurrant, iron filings, blackcurrant and are pure in expression. The palate has great length and, in terms of structure, expresses gentle acidity, a graceful balance and modest fruit intensity befitting the lighter 2007 vintage, Overall, this is a very good Morey-Saint-Denis, but one that is ready to drink now. Rating: Very Good. Abv: N/A. Price: N/A. Website: http://www.roumier.com. Reviewed: August 2019.
La Chablisienne continue to produce very good, reasonably priced Chablis wines. Côte de Léchet is a south-east facing premier cru vineyard and its wines are typically considered more austere in character as a consequence. In the glass, the 2016 has firm aromatics of stones and lemon. The palate is medium bodied, with good acidity. This wine is approachable and enjoyable now, but will benefit from 3 to 4 years in the cellar. Rating: Very Good. Abv: 13%. Price: $45. Website: http://chablisienne.com/en/home/. Reviewed: September 2019.
A recent extraordinary Wynns tasting has captured my interest in this producer’s wines. You can read the post here. Compared with the wines in that tasting, the 2013 Wynns Black Label cabernet sauvignon presents as remarkably forward and ready to drink. It has typical Coonawarra aromas of earth and blackcurrant. The palate has excellent length, with undertones of clove. Overall, this is a very good wine that, on this tasting, is approachable now. Rating: Very Good. Abv: 13.5%. Price: $30. Website: http://wynns.com.au. Reviewed: September 2019.
This Terre à Terre wine is from the Crayères vineyard in Wrattonbully, north of Coonawarra. It has aromas of cedar, earth and red fruits and that Coonawarra “ferrous” character. The palate has long length and terrific balance. An impressive release, this wine can be approached now but should improve with 5 to 8 years in the cellar. Rating: Very Good to Outstanding. Abv: 14.4%. Price: $55. Website: http://terreaterre.com.au. Source: Sample. Reviewed: September 2019.
This is the most serious and high quality expression of Australian cabernet franc that I have tasted. The wine is from Terre à Terre in Wrattonbully, near Coonawarra and the border between South Australia and Victoria. The soil here is terra rossa limestone and the vineyard is known as the Crayères. This is a region to watch for cabernet franc on this tasting. Saint-Emilion rather than Chinon in style, in the glass, the wine has typical cabernet franc aromas of tobacco, red fruits and spices. The palate has prodigious length, well judged cedar and firm tannins. Built to last this wine can be approached now or over the next decade. A bargain at $40. Rating: Outstanding. Abv: 14.2%. Website: http://terreaterre.com.au. Source: Sample. Reviewed: September 2019.
This is a very approachable and attractive expression of Margaret River shiraz. Its overt aromas of spice and blueberry are complemented by a full bodied palate with good length on the finish. Ready to drink now and over the next 4 to 5 years. Rating: Good to Very Good. Abv: 14%. Price: NA. Website: http://willsdomain.com.au. Source: Sample. Reviewed: September 2019.
This is a pleasant and approachable Margaret River cabernet sauvignon from the 2018 vintage. It has an aroma of ripe cassis and its palate reminds of blackcurrant and clove. Ready to drink now. Rating: Good. Abv: 14%. Price: NA. Website: http://willsdomain.com.au. Source: Sample. Reviewed: September 2019.
