From Shaw Vineyard Estate, this is a very precise expression of riesling, a variety that produces excellent wines in the Canberra region. In the glass, the wine has aromas of stones, lemons, white flowers and smoke. The palate gives the impression of dryness with a very lemony expression and high, racy acidity. Drink now and…Continue readingShaw Riesling Isabella Canberra 2017
This wine is from Punters Corner in Coonawarra and is a blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and shiraz from the 2002 vintage. It was purchased in South Australia at release, when travel outside of Victoria was a thing. The wine opens to tertiary aromas of cedar, smoke and earth. The palate is full bodied and…Continue readingPunters Corner Coonawarra Triple Crown 2002
This is a sound rosé from Robert Stein made in the current style. It is pale in colour, with a mineral and strawberry aroma. The palate is dry, has fresh acidity and a medium body. The styling is French. Ready to drink now. Rating: Good. Website: https://www.robertstein.com.au; wine-searcher.com. Source: Sample. Reviewed: September 2020.Continue readingRobert Stein Rosé 2018
In just one small sticker, the key components of this sparkling wine are communicated incredibly effectively. Here it is: Transparency in labelling benefits both wine producers and consumers. Although the words chosen are the French ones, we swifly learn: Cepages (grape varieties): 82% pinot noir and 18% chardonnay Vintages: 81% from 2017 and 19% reserve…Continue readingDaoso Natural Reserve Sparkling Piccadilly Valley NV
This is a good pinot grigio from Angullong in the Orange region. It is a suitable substitute for Veneto pinot grigio, but positioned in qualitative terms above the ubiqutious entry level offerings from that region. The wine opens to saline and light floral aromas. The palate is unoaked and a fine pin point like high…Continue readingAngullong Pinot Grigio 2019
This McLaren Vale wine is made with the traditional Rioja blending partners of tempranillo and garnacha (grenache). It is a ripe and juicy wine in the style of a Rioja Joven. In the glass, there are blueberry and sweet cherry aromas. The palate is full bodied with a blueberry and fruity, gluggable character. Suitable for…Continue readingFat ‘n Skinny The Red Fury Tempranillo Garnacha 2018
I rather sensed that this producer and vineyard were headed towards producing a fine wine. This wine has seen considerable attention to detail and is outstanding. A blend of 68% cabernet sauvignon, 16% shiraz and 16% cabernet franc, it is from the Crayères vineyard in the Wrattonbully region on the South Australian/Victorian border. In terms…Continue readingTerre à Terre Crayères Vineyard 2016
Having tasted their shiraz, GSM and now their cabernet sauvignon, the house style at Chateau Yaldara is focused on wines that celebrate ripe fruit supported by new oak (but not overwhelmingly so). This Barossa Valley cabernet sauvignon is another high quality wine. It has aromas of iron and cedar. The palate is full bodied with…Continue readingChateau Yaldara Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
This is a first class expression of a GSM blend from Chateau Yaldara and the Barossa Valley. It has aromas of strawberry, chocolate, pepper and new barrels. The palate is full bodied and rich with medium tannins and long length on the finish. Approachable now and drink over the next decade. Rating: Very Good to…Continue readingChateau Yaldara Reserve Grenache Shiraz Mataro 2016
From Clyde Park and the Geelong region, this is a very good chardonnay. It has aromas of cedar, mineral, smoke and ripe melon. The palate is balanced, with a medium-full body and linear acidity. Medium length on the finish completes the picture. Ready to drink now. Rating: Good. Website: https://clydepark.com.au; wine-searcher.com. Source: Sample. Reviewed: July…Continue readingClyde Park Chardonnay 2018
From Mudgee in New South Wales and a vineyard at 630 metres, this is a very good cabernet sauvignon merlot blend from Gartelmann. It has attractive leather, leaf and licorice aromas, and a brooding expression. The palate is full bodied with soft tannins, piquant acidity, and a leaf/eucalyuptus character on its long finish. The alcohol…Continue readingGartelmann Cabernet Merlot 2016
This is an ambitiously good sauvignon blanc from Terre à Terre in Wrattonbully near the South Australian/Victorian border. It has aromas of grass and peach. The palate is dry, the acidity high and razor sharp and there’s some really well handled old oak that gives texture and balance to the finish. This is first rate…Continue readingTerre à Terre Crayères Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2019