First Ridge Fiano 2024

First Ridge Fiano 2024

  14:21    Stu.

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When I was tasting this there was a Mint and Panko crusted lamb rack presentation on TV, and I can't escape the green pea and herb freshness in this wine.

So, pea and snow pea, herbal cast, florals, white pepper. Suggestion of almond paste through the middle.

It's a bold expression, that works well. It leaves you feeling satiated, and yearning for more. Generous and persistent finish - go bugs in a light curried broth. 93

Tasted on: Wednesday 2nd October
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.firstridge.com.au/

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Castello Di Meleto Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2020

Castello Di Meleto Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2020

  12:30    Stu.

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Vibrant in glass, firm and dense in aroma. It's iodine, fennel tops, cherry and florals. It's a complex and heady mix on offer.

Tight and fine tannin, acid is persistent in line and length. Excellent length, grip, presence. Good to go now, or another ten. 93

Tasted on: Saturday 11th January
Source: Sample
Price: $150

Alcohol: TBC
Closure: Cork
Sample c/o: https://www.singlevineyards.com/ 

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Schild Estate Narrow Road Vineyard Shiraz 2021

Schild Estate Narrow Road Vineyard Shiraz 2021

  09:15    Stu.

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From the Narrow Road Vineyard in Rowland Flat, and the site of the original Schild homestead. 

It's a typical structured Shiraz - with a decent splash, 28%, of Cabernet Sauvignon - from the Southern end of the Barossa, with deep set aromatics, of cocoa, coffee grounds, burnt ends. Faint edge of Mulberry, blackcurrant in there too.

There's a plushness across the palate, soft and powdery tannin before a length and presence. Lovely inherent balance and energy, finishing long with a resurgence of the creamy blue fruit. 94

Tasted on: Sunday 23rd February
Source: Sample
Price: $95
Alcohol: 14.8%
Closure: Procork
Website: https://www.schildestate.com.au/

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The Little Wine Co Pinot Grigio 2024

The Little Wine Co Pinot Grigio 2024

  15:47    Stu.

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Nashi pear, white florals, honeydew melon notes. Lovely fresh lead in in the nose. Crispness to the palate, slight bitterness on the follow through the palate.

Solid Pinot Grigio, chill to the point where the condensation drips down the bottle when placed at the table and prepare to be refreshed. 90

Tasted on: Saturday 1st February
Source: Sample
Price: $24
Alcohol: 12.8%
Closure: Screwcap

Website: https://www.thelittlewinecompany.com.au/

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The Little Wine Co Pecorino 2024

The Little Wine Co Pecorino 2024

  15:43    Stu.

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Not just a cheese variety (Pecorino being a catch-all term for any cheese made entirely from Sheep's whey), but so named after the Italian for sheep 'Pecora' and the old shepherd's route that the vines grew alongside.

Plenty of interest here: cantaloupe melon, Pear William - both aromatically, into and then through the palate.

A slight briny tang lingers, at turns both refreshing and also leaving your yearning for more. Generous length that tugs on. Very enjoyable. 93

Tasted on: Sunday 2nd February
Source: Sample
Price: $28
Alcohol: 12.7%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.thelittlewinecompany.com.au

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The Little Wine Co Lyre Lyre 2023

The Little Wine Co Lyre Lyre 2023

  15:40    Stu.

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A white blend of Verdelho, Pecorino, Vermentino, and Albarino (order as listed on the label, not necessarily by contribution to the blend).

Beautiful aromatics: frangipane, almond paste, snow pea tendril. Has a minerally suggestive edge that just catches the nasal cavity - perhaps a little white pepper / rotund one note.

Musk and minerally through the middle, pleasing enough texture a tingly spine of acid. A most pleasing all-rounder. 92

Tasted on: Sunday 2nd February
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 12.4%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.thelittlewinecompany.com.au/

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Huntington Estate Grand Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2021

Huntington Estate Grand Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2021

  17:13    Stu.

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I'd almost convinced myself I'd seen this before, nearly confusing it with the similarly named and liveried Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon (here). 

Here the Cabernet Sauvignon dominant version is redolent of cool autumnal mornings, touch of earthy-headiness lingering, veering to graphite notes.

The palate a contrast to that, with a deep black fruited heart, of blackcurrant and damson. Hint of black tea, pepper, twist of licorice - a complex mix of elements jostling and jockeying for position.

Tannins at turns coarse, with a glossiness in tandem, moving through a finish of some length. Still at a youthful juncture - look to see these elements ease into each other with some additional time. 93+

Tasted on: Wednesday 22nd January
Source: Sample
Price: $100
Alcohol: 14.2%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.huntingtonestate.com.au/

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