A slight mouthful of name, places and grape varieties, this wine is deep in colour with an inky nose reminding of tar and liquorice. The palate is expressive of dark plums, tannins and leaf and has a bitter finish. This wine is approachable now with decanting, but will benefit from a further 2-3 years cellaring. Rating: Good to Very Good. Abv: 14.5%. Price: $29. Website: darenberg.com.au. Source: Sample.
Adelaide Hills
d’Arenberg The Olive Grove McLaren Vale Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2018
Modestly priced at $16, this is a sound chardonnay from McLaren Vale and the Adelaide Hills. In the glass, it has restrained aromas of peach and nectarine. The palate is medium-full bodied and in a crisp, fresh style. Rating: Acceptable to Good. Abv: 13%. Price: $16. Website: darenberg.com.au. Source: Sample.
d’Arenberg The Broken Fishplate Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2018
d’Arenberg’s “The Broken Fishplate” is a well made sauvignon blanc from the Adelaide Hills. It has bright aromas of lemon, grass and pear. The palate has fresh acidity and a nice balance. Rating: Good. Abv: 13%. Price:$20. Website: darenberg.com.au. Source: Sample.
Some good new release McLaren Vale grenache from d’Arenberg
Here are six new release wines from d’Arenberg in McLaren Vale that are between $15 and $29. All of the wines were tasted blind, and the two grenache based wines stood out for their quality. This tasting confirmed my view that the best grenache departs from the primary fruit/jube/high alcohol renditions of this grape variety, and presents almost like a different grape variety grown in the right places and raised by the right hands. It also provided further evidence to support my view that grenache is a jewel in d’Arenberg’s offering.
Grenache and blends
The Derelict Vineyard McLaren Vale Grenache 2013
This wine has good intensity of colour for a grenache. It opens to quite attractive smokey aromas. The palate is sweet fruited with dark plums, licorice and eucalyptus in the background. There is towards long length on the finish, firm tannins (for grenache) and a not unattractive bitter character. This is an interesting and complex wine that it is a very good example of McLaren Vale grenache. $29 is well spent on this wine. Rating: Very Good. Abv: 14.2%. Price: $29.
This wine has good intensity of colour for a grenache. It opens to quite attractive smokey aromas. The palate is sweet fruited with dark plums, licorice and eucalyptus in the background. There is towards long length on the finish, firm tannins (for grenache) and a not unattractive bitter character. This is an interesting and complex wine that it is a very good example of McLaren Vale grenache. $29 is well spent on this wine. Rating: Very Good. Abv: 14.2%. Price: $29.
The Bonsai Vine McLaren Vale Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre 2015
Here’s another good grenache, this time a GSM blend. Medium intensity of colour. The aromas of this wine are quite jammy, with plum and popcorn oak notes. But mostly of primary fruit. The palate is medium to full bodied with quite fine tannins and medium length. Rating: Good to Very Good. Alc 13%. Price: $29
Here’s another good grenache, this time a GSM blend. Medium intensity of colour. The aromas of this wine are quite jammy, with plum and popcorn oak notes. But mostly of primary fruit. The palate is medium to full bodied with quite fine tannins and medium length. Rating: Good to Very Good. Alc 13%. Price: $29
Whites
Lucky Lizard Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2016
Switching now to chardonnay. Lemon in colour. Pleasant aroma of lemons and florals. The palate is dry with a touch of oak influence. Mediumish body and acidity. Nice length and a very light spritz to freshen palate. A sound chardonnay. Rating: Good. Abv: 13.7%. Price: $25.
Switching now to chardonnay. Lemon in colour. Pleasant aroma of lemons and florals. The palate is dry with a touch of oak influence. Mediumish body and acidity. Nice length and a very light spritz to freshen palate. A sound chardonnay. Rating: Good. Abv: 13.7%. Price: $25.
Hermit Crab McLaren Vale Viogner Marsanne 2016
Very fragrant with mandarin, herbal, sauvignon like aromas and green apple suggestions. A smidgen of oak is there. The palate is dry, medium bodied with talc and almond notes and some spritz and gentle length on the finish. Hard to fault at $15. Rating: Good. Abv: 13.3%. Price: $15.
Very fragrant with mandarin, herbal, sauvignon like aromas and green apple suggestions. A smidgen of oak is there. The palate is dry, medium bodied with talc and almond notes and some spritz and gentle length on the finish. Hard to fault at $15. Rating: Good. Abv: 13.3%. Price: $15.
Shiraz and cabernet
The Footbolt McLaren Vale Shiraz 2015
This is deeply coloured next to the grenache. There is an aroma of cedar, herbs and cedar. There some evidence of oak, some new. The palate reminds of olive and mint characters. Acids and tannins present firmly. Rating: Acceptable to Good. Abv: 14.5%. Price: $18
The High Trellis McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
Deep colour. It opens to aromas of olive and brine, and initially proves quite pungent. Varietal characters of earth and licorice emerge with time in the glass. The palate is full bodied, the length quite good, and tannins quite overt and powdery. Decanting recommended. Rating: Acceptable to Good. Alc: 14.8%. Price: $18.
Ochota Barrels The Slint Vineyard Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2016
Ochota Barrels is a cult South Australian producer producing wines in tiny quantities and a cool kids ethos, together with the customary lo-fi approach. Their 2016 chardonnay tasted here is cloudy in appearance, with aromatics of pear. The palate is finely boned, with lemon characters and a lovely balance to it. Rating: Good. Abv: 12.6%. Price: $40.
6 new release Australian whites
At the table today I tasted through six new release Australian whites, all completely blind. No price exceeded $22, although that was not known either. The average quality was very good and as usual blind tasting leads to a few surprises. Interestingly, the two wines with gold medal stickers on them (the first and third) showed well in the bracket. Notes and observations follow.
d’Arenberg The Olive Grove Chardonnay McLaren Vale Adelaide Hills 2016
This wine has restrained aromas of lemon and stones. Dry on the palate, there’s some well handled oak, green apple characters, balance, medium length and some acid zing. A bargain at $15. Rating: Good to Very Good. Abv: 13.4%. Price: $15. Source: Sample.
This wine has restrained aromas of lemon and stones. Dry on the palate, there’s some well handled oak, green apple characters, balance, medium length and some acid zing. A bargain at $15. Rating: Good to Very Good. Abv: 13.4%. Price: $15. Source: Sample.
Heggies Vineyard Eden Valley Chardonnay 2016
This wine presents with very restrained aromas of stone and meal, and cedar characters suggesting mostly older oak has been used. The palate is dry and restrained in its expressions of lemon and stone, and medium length and also has some acid zing. Rating: Acceptable to Good. Abv: 13.0%. Price: $22. Source: Sample.
This wine presents with very restrained aromas of stone and meal, and cedar characters suggesting mostly older oak has been used. The palate is dry and restrained in its expressions of lemon and stone, and medium length and also has some acid zing. Rating: Acceptable to Good. Abv: 13.0%. Price: $22. Source: Sample.
Taylors Clare Valley Padthaway Chardonnay 2015
Restrained in impression, this wine opens to aromas of green apple and subtle oak use. Between medium and full bodied on the palate, with good length and a very balanced expression of a cooler climate style chardonnay. Another bargain, this time at $19. Rating: Good to Very Good. Abv: 13.5%. Price: $19. Source: Sample.
Restrained in impression, this wine opens to aromas of green apple and subtle oak use. Between medium and full bodied on the palate, with good length and a very balanced expression of a cooler climate style chardonnay. Another bargain, this time at $19. Rating: Good to Very Good. Abv: 13.5%. Price: $19. Source: Sample.
d’Arenberg The Money Spider Roussanne McLaren Vale 2017
This is a more aromatic wine than the previous three, with its expression of apricot and dried fruits. No oak on the palate, it is full bodied with a mealy, textured expression and is well made if singular. Rating: Good. Abv: 12.9%. Price: $20. Source: Sample.
This is a more aromatic wine than the previous three, with its expression of apricot and dried fruits. No oak on the palate, it is full bodied with a mealy, textured expression and is well made if singular. Rating: Good. Abv: 12.9%. Price: $20. Source: Sample.
d’Arenberg The Broken Fishplate Sauvignon Blanc Adelaide Hills 2017
This is most evidently sauvignon blanc. Pale in colour, there are pronounced aromatics of gooseberry and very grassy notes. No oak is used, there’s fresh acid on the palate, and 4g/l of residual sugar softens the impression. Mid range length. Rating: Good. Abv: 12.5%. Price: $20. Source: Sample.
Angullong Pinot Grigio Orange Region 2017
Pale in colour with a slight pink hue. Typical pinot gris. A medium intensity aromas of pears on the nose. The palate is between medium and full bodied with no oak influence and a stoney, minerally expression of citrus fruits and pear and an acid zing on the tail. A good example of cool climate pinot grigio. Rating: Good. Abv: 13.0%. Price: $20. Source: Sample.
Pale in colour with a slight pink hue. Typical pinot gris. A medium intensity aromas of pears on the nose. The palate is between medium and full bodied with no oak influence and a stoney, minerally expression of citrus fruits and pear and an acid zing on the tail. A good example of cool climate pinot grigio. Rating: Good. Abv: 13.0%. Price: $20. Source: Sample.
Taylors Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2016
This is a varietally correct sauvignon blanc from Taylors from the Adelaide Hills. Aromas of passionfruit and pineapple. Well balanced and pitched on the palate. (Region: Adelaide Hills, Rating: Good, Would I buy it based on this tasting? It’s perfectly pleasant drinking, Drink: now, Tasted: April, 2017, Source: Sample)
Read more:
www.taylorswines.com.au
Other vintages reviewed:
NA
Taylors Adelaide Hills Pinot Gris 2016
This is a safe and varietal wine from Taylors range in the Adelaide Hills. Typical pinot gris aromatics of apples and pears are supplemented by characters of oat meal on the palate. The impression is crisp and full bodied. (Abv 13.5%, Region: Adelaide Hills, Rating: Good, Would I buy it based on this tasting? It’s varietally correct, Drink: now, Tasted: Mar, 2017, Source: Sample)
Read more:
www.taylorswines.com.au
Other vintages reviewed:
NA
LaBise Adelaide Hills Sangiovese 2015
I’ve liked all of LaBise’s new releases from the Adelaide Hills. This wine’s a sangiovese and it’s also well made. It has aromatics of dusty cherry, with a smidgeon of cedar. The palate is balanced and medium bodied in expression with dusty tannins. A likeable wine to enjoy over the next couple of years. (Region: Adelaide Hills, Rating: Good, Drink: now to 2022, Tasted: Feb, 2017)
Read more:
labisewines.com.au
Other vintages reviewed:
Nil
Source: sample
d’Arenberg "The Broken Fishplate" Sauvignon Blanc 2016
The customary unusual name from d’Arenberg. At $20, this sauvignon blanc is a good example of an Adelaide Hills sauvignon blanc. In the glass, there are aromas of florals, citrus and gooseberry. The palate is fresh, mid weight, clean and crisp. The wine handles its low 11.5% alcohol well, and hides its 7g/l of residual sugar even better. A balanced and very likeable release. (Alc: 11.5%, Region: Adelaide Hills, Rating: Good, Drink: now, Tasted: Feb, 2017)
Read more:
darenberg.com.au
Other vintages reviewed:
Nil
Source: sample