Wirra Wirra Scrubby Rise Chardonnay 2019

A zesty, grapefruit and pith driven number. Lemon sherbet in a manner, fresh and at you, latterly stonefruit hints. It's all rather a come hither and fresh style.

Zesty mineral, prickling across the palate, more of that lemon sherbet freshness. Not the lengthiest wine, the burst of freshness delivering here instead. 88 

Tasted on: Tuesday 29th October, a Flower to Leaf day 
Source: Sample
Price: $18
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.wirrawirra.com/

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d'Arenberg The Dry Dam Riesling 2019

Sadly there's more than a few dry dams around Queensland at present.

Kaffir lime, lemongrass, browning lime juice - strong aromatic showing.

A generous citrus driven acidic thrust, clean and glass like across the palate. Has plenty of zip and zesty presence, but perhaps a touch linear. Good Riesling, slakes a thirst with ease. 90 

Tasted on: Saturday 19th October, a Root to Flower day 
Source: Sample
Price: $18
Alcohol: 10%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.darenberg.com.au/

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Juniper Estate Fiano 2019

Canteloupe melon, Nashi pear, Vanilla and creamy nougat hints adding to the appeal. Spiced nuances, a fleshy fruit presence that positively grows in stature across the palate. 

There's a briny edge, citrus acidity that flows and carries the fruit long across the palate. An excellent example of the variety, has it found a new home in Margaret River? 93 

Tasted on: Tuesday 26th November, a Flower to Leaf day 
Source: Sample
Price: $27
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.juniperestate.com.au/

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Pirate Cru Sin of The Mermaid Rosé 2019

A Bandol inspired Rosé, being 100% Mataro from the Barossa Valley. The inspiration doesn't stop with the variety alone, it being redolent of tangerine, orange peel and oil. So yes, it's certainly of its variety - and that's a good thing. Aromatics complete with a touch of skinsy, bergamot and Jasmine like vibes too.

The palate possesses weight, textually minded, yet is dry with a soft, gentle phenolic rub across. Not without a touch of acid in the mix, the engine of the wine, driving things along. Exactly what you want in a good Mataro based Rosé. 91 

Tasted on: Saturday 30th November, a Fruit to Root day 
Source: Retail
Price: $24.95
Alcohol: 12.8%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.piratecru.com.au/

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Gartelmann Sarah Elizabeth Chardonnay 2018

Toasty, figgy oak meets stonefruit, drizzle of honey on grilled stonefruit.

Deep, textural and long on flavour. There's depth and a succulence too; penetrating length that's seemingly perpetual. 

Rich, inviting, can easily see how at once it's both a crowd pleaser and has the fibre to develop nicely and cellar over the moderate term. Drink to 2027 94

Tasted on: Tuesday 29th October, a Flower to Leaf day

Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.gartelmann.com.au/

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Shaw Estate Reserve Semillon 2019

A bright and nigh floral opening, lime, passionfruit and guava tropicals, hints of bath salt. 

The palate possesses both a depth of flavour and a zesty liveliness by virtue of a minerally tingle across the palate. Not without a probing line of citrus acidity, it also concludes with a resurgence of that tropical accented fruit.

A wine of many parts and paths, divergent, and yet bring it all together for the whole to be greater than the sum of its parts. 92 

Tasted on: Tuesday 3rd December, a Root to Flower day 
Source: Sample
Price: $40
Alcohol: 11.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://shawwines.com.au/

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Angullong Fossil Hill Rosé 2019

Rosé from Orange and made with Sangiovese grapes, often creates a delightful and savoury wine, this no exception. 

Strawberry, Turkish Delight, it seems dry just on aromatic intro. The palate, crisp and savoury, berry driven in the main, a vanilla cream aspect buoys that. A crisp acidity adds textural crunch. Chill, and chill. 92 

Tasted on: Friday 22nd November, a Fruit to Root day 
Source: Sample
Price: $26
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.angullong.com.au/

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