Deakin Estate Chardonnay 2015

Soft, floral, rounded, redolent of pears, lemony butter. 

Carries this with convinction through to the palate. Layered, some texture and lime-centric core. Freshening acid. 

It's of reasonable length. Not necessarily sure I would want to drink a heap of it mind, it's quite full on. Still. 87 

Tasted on: Saturday 25th February, a Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $10
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.deakinestate.com.au/

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Rob Hall Harriet's Vineyard Chardonnay 2015

Citrus, buttermilk, wheaten, with peach-fuzz sensory of delicate stonefruit.

Medium weight, minerally, awakens the senses with a burst of acid. Citrussy acid and flavour. Little textural feel to proceedings. 

It's well balanced, doesn't seem to shout of any one thing in particular, an excellent team composition and fabulous length to boot. 92 

Tasted on: Tuesday 21st March, a Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $40
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.robhallwine.com.au

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Rob Hall Yarra Valley Cabernets 2015

A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (80%), Merlot (15%) and Petit Verdot (5%).

Smoke and ash sitting atop florals, dusky blackcurrant and the like. Fair twist of seasoning. 

An easy going, languid style - initially. Perks up a little through the mid palate, perky acid and a resurgence of fruit, soft and easy tannin. Super soft and slurpable. 91 

Tasted on: Monday 20th March, a Leaf to Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $26
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.robhallwine.com.au

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Alkoomi White Label Chardonnay 2015

Plenty of which peach, a little toast too. Perfect - what you want and just gently hums: "Chardonnay". 

Bit of toastiness - perhaps a little overdone, four and not three on the dial. Certainly gives carry, but in a bitter manner. Given where Aus Chardonnay is, for $15 sheets it's a sure fire winner. 

Has enough about it - as opposed to the skinny, skeletal, early picked waifs - to carry off variety with conviction. Just lacks finesse. And look, for the price who's quibbling? 88 

Tasted on: Thursday 23rd February, a Fruit to Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $15
Alcohol: 12.8%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.alkoomiwines.com.au/

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Chateau Yaldara Reserve Shiraz 2013

A whopping 16% alcohol, a wine that's dark, chewy, leathery - almost Biltong like, giving the hint to that size.

Dense, concentrated, black fruit, almost tarry; the oak is shouting at the top of its lungs, and the black tarry fruit is more than a match in this slanging match. 

You'd have to be of a certain persuasion. It's unashamedly old 'skool' Barossa Shiraz. An oak and fruit Monster. 92 

Tasted on: Tuesday 21st February, a Leaf to Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 16.1%
Closure: Cork
Website: http://1847wines.com/

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Mr Riggs Mrs Viognier 2015

Subtle wafts of Apricot on show here, sitting atop a floral/ dried grassy/wheaten undertow. 

Quite fine structured, elegant, crisp and snappy. Stonefruit hints, minerally. Avoids the overblown, blowsiness that can afflict. Shows a little oiliness by way of back palate texture. Good showing. 89 

Tasted on: Wednesday 22nd February, a Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.mrriggs.com.au/

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La Linea Lenswood Mencia 2016

I've a curious soft spot for Mencia, after having been lured in to the variety via a magnificent example from Guimo. Of course, a few Aussies are now having a play with the variety, of which d'Arenberg's stab is also reviewed on these pages. Anyway, i'd long since give up hope of tasting this - long sold out - example from the Adelaide Hills, save for finding a bottle in the wonderful East End Cellars.


Admittedly tasted from the cheapest stemware in a hotel room. Has the florals mixed with a little savoury edge. 

What strikes me about the wine is this beautiful balance of fruit meets freshening-about-you acidity with a minerality. 

It's kind of akin to volcanic reds from Sicily in that regard. Just carries a tremendous lightness to, without sacrificing length. Joyous. 92

Tasted on: Friday 19th May, a Root to Flower day

Source: Retail, East End Cellars
Price: $28
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://lalinea.com.au/

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