This proved to be quite a developing expression of Hunter semillon from benchmark producer Tyrells. The wine has evident tertiary butter and lactic aromas, with notes of mild struck match. As ever with more developed semillon, it is almost surprising there is no oak. The palate has particularly enamel searing, very high acidity and a…Continue readingTyrell’s HVD Vineyard Hunter Valley Semillon 2014
Tag: Hunter Valley
This release from Gartelmann Wines is from the difficult 2015 vintage in the Hunter Valley. It has typical Hunter shiraz characters of spice, plum, pepper and cedar. The tannins are soft, the body is between medium and full and the acidity spikey. This is a sound wine suitable for drinking now. Rating: Good. Abv: 14.3%.…Continue readingGartelmann Wilhelm Hunter Valley Shiraz 2015
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Brokenwood Hunter Valley Shiraz 2015
This is a lovely, medium bodied and classical expression of Hunter Valley shiraz. It has aromas of redcurrants and deli meats. The palate has good length on the finish, plenty of green pepper and is refined in bearing. I buy too little Hunter Valley shiraz. Rating: Very Good. Abv: 13%. Price: $50.Continue readingBrokenwood Hunter Valley Shiraz 2015
Tyrells are a benchmark producer of Hunter Valley semillon, and this wine is the “baby brother” of Tyrell’s more famous Vat 1 Hunter semillon. In the glass, it has aromatics of lemon and bees wax. The palate has a nip of acidity and good length. The alcohol is only 11%. A good release that can…Continue readingTyrell’s Wines Hunter Valley Semillon 2016
Here are reviews of a couple of new releases from Gartelmann wines. Gartelmann Petit Verdot 2014, MudgeeYou don’t see too many petit verdots as a single varietal wine, although this wine also has some cabernet sauvignon in it. This is a fruity style, with aromas of strawberry jam and cedar. The palate is medium bodied…Continue readingGartelmann Petit Verdot 2014 and Hunter Valley/Clare Valley Shiraz 2014
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Lake’s Folly Cabernets 2015
This is the new release cabernets from Lake’s Folly, a producer I’ve started following more closely. Interestingly, the 2015 vintage is quite different in composition to the 2014. The 2015 is a blend of 76% cabernet sauvignon, 16% petit verdot and 8% merlot. That’s, relative to the 2014, 15% more cabernet sauvignon, 6% more petit…Continue readingLake’s Folly Cabernets 2015
Each of these cabernets are in a style that I enjoy drinking and it was a joy to taste them together. Wantirna Estate’s “Amelia” cabernet sauvignon merlot is a very good release from this tiny but highly regarded estate in the Yarra Valley. The 2012 is classic in expression, with medium bodied notes of blackcurrants and…Continue readingA few good cabernets; Wantirna Estate 2012, Lake’s Folly Cabernets 2014 and Les Tourelles de Longueville 1996
I don’t drink or cellar nearly enough Hunter Valley semillon. This release from the 2016 vintage from Gartelmann is quite attractive. Its nose is bright with lemon, minerals and a lemon rind character. The palate is light to medium bodied, with good length and balance framed with high acidity. I enjoyed this. Rating: Good to…Continue readingGartelmann Benjamin Hunter Valley Semillon 2016
This is a pleasant medium bodied Hunter Valley shiraz from Gartelmann. The 2014 Hunter Valley shiraz vintage is reported by James Halliday – someone who knows a thing or two about the Hunter Valley – as “what most rate as the best vintage in half a century” (you can read more here). The wine in the…Continue readingGartelmann Wilhem Hunter Valley Shiraz 2014
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A vinous round up
Here is a vinous round up of wine notes that I, for one reason or another, have not been quick enough to type out individual posts on, but nonetheless ought to be commented upon. There are some very good wines among these. In re-reading them, it is a bit of vinous Noah’s Ark which, more…Continue readingA vinous round up
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Nightingale Wines Shiraz 2014
I don’t drink a lot of Hunter Valley shiraz, which is a pity because I am quite partial to it. From what I have read, 2014 is an outstanding red vintage in the Hunter. This shiraz from small producer Nightingale Wines is a sound one. Plums and leather aromatics. The palate is medium bodied with…Continue readingNightingale Wines Shiraz 2014
The specs seem great – single vineyard, low yielding, handpicked and 35 year old vines. I just wasn’t convinced in the glass. Aromatics of lemon and stone. The palate seemed slightly soapy, with flavours reminding of lemon pith and a dilute character. Picked on 17 January. Rating: Acceptable, Abv: 12.9%, Price: $33, Source: sample, Vendors…Continue readingOakvale Ablington Vineyard Chardonnay 2014