Higher Plane Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2013

Reserve selection of Cabernet Sauvignon. Spends 18 months in French Oak, even at 5 years that's still evident. 

Underneath that oak, it's a mix of Plum and olive skin, with thyme and bay herbal inflections. 

Fine quality to the palate, smooth as it glides across the palate. A sheen if you will - serves as an introduction to black fruit depths and fine-grained tannin. Possesses subtle depth, a wine of classic proportions. 93

Tasted on: Wednesday 13th June, a Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $38
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.higherplanewines.com.au

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Rymill The Dark Horse Shiraz 2016

There’s a sense of char here, pepper and black fruit sound the charge. It’s even a little leafy, dusty as it assaults the nasal cavity.

More of that pepper on show through the palate. Not the most defined shape. Tannin a little coarse, reasonable length about it 89

Tasted on: Saturday 9th June, a Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $23
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.rymill.com.au/

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Margan Shiraz Mourvedre 2016

Earth, meaty, a bit blood and bones. Good depth, lifted sweeter accents: Blueberry and violets. Certainly in that spectrum. 

Medium bodied, smooth and silken as it glides across the palate. Brings with it depth and a little structure. Flows well, delivering a good length. Perhaps a latent salinity peeking its head. 

My personal pick of the red releases from the vintage. 91  

Tasted on: Friday 8th June, a Leaf day 
Source: Sample
Price: $40
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.margan.com.au/

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Ridgemill Estate the Lincoln Shiraz 2016

Dense black fruit presenting itself here, it's almost fudge-like with a little oak framework and seasoning of pepper and baking spices. 

You cant escape the medium-bodied frame that is quintessentially Granite Belt, that combined with that fine, graphite tannin and texture. 

It's that tannin that really give the wine presence, gentle length. With time it becomes a little more expressive, some sweeter fruit accents - adding to the generosity. 92

Tasted on: Wednesday 6th June, a Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $TBC
Alcohol: 13.9%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://ridgemillestate.com/

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Huntington Estate Special Reserve Chardonnay 2017

The wine is rich on opening, expressive of both variety and winemaker's hand. Citrus, stonefruit and judicious barrel work all leave their imprint. 

The palate is expressive too, delicious peach juice cascades over the palate, supplemented by a little Vanilla and what seems like a delicate toffee. Elegance is one way of describing the wine, delicious another. 

Generous, yet subtle, a wine that is at ease now and will reward patient cellaring. 92 

Tasted on: Thursday 31st May, a Leaf to Fruit day 
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 13.1%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://huntingtonestate.com.au/

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Higher Plane Cabernet Merlot 2015

Stated as a single vineyard wine, that either is rather large or certainly planted to a fruit salad of varieties given it's actually a blend of all of the classic Bordeaux varieties with the inclusion of Malbec (6%), Cabernet Franc (5%) and Petit Verdot (1%), not just the first billed players. 

Milk-chocolate, wafer - all over a berry core. Perhaps suggestions of issues over ripeness, it’s a little lean with tomato leaf.

Delivers a spicy lick through the middle, tomato ketchup sprung to mind. Not altogether unpleasant, certainly unusual. 

Lends a freshness, if at the expense (of what I would seek in) classic Cabernet/ Merlot (and friends) blend. 90

Tasted on: Tuesday 29th May, a Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.higherplanewines.com.au

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Ferngrove Diamond Chardonnay 2016

Rich and riper one here. The stone fruit is off the charts, fair assaulting the nasal cavity. Has the cream and wheat character, almost veering to a little butteryness.

Settles on the palate, lavish vanilla and spice - well handled oak. It has a latter sense of lime brulee, the citrus and cream characters blending and morphing well.

Will develop nicely over the mid-term, up to 2025. 90  

Tasted on: Saturday 2nd June, a Fruit to Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $26
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.ferngrove.com.au

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