Huntington Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Certainly Mudgee, definitively Cabernet. Carries the fudge and oak over the red Berry heart. Faint cedar, suggestion of nuttiness perhaps.

The palate shows a wine of medium to firm body, elements of spice. A line that carries itself long across the palate, mint and herbal inflections just make me think a juicy lamb roast. 90

Tasted on: Friday 3rd August, a Leaf to Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $29
Alcohol: 13.7%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://huntingtonestate.com.au/

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Ballycroft Small Berry Mataro 2015

A mere 55doz produced, spends 28m in shaved out, re-skimmed American Oak.

There's a growing culture of producing barrel aged beers in Australia's burgeoning beer scene. Upon opening this heavenly concoction from old mate Joe, I was reminded of such with its come hither port, and portly, Plum, raisin and nutty vibes. 

Joe Evans is a man to be admired, making his wines in what you'd consider a house style, and perhaps the anti-thesis to himself. For Joe's diminutive size is the stark opposite to his larger than life wines. 

This 2015 guise of the Ballycroft Mataro is a richly concocted brew, very much in the rum 'n' raisin mould, with dark spice that rides through the wine. Whilst an initial smoothness greets the drinker on entry, it's stature grows and envelopes the palate. 

It's perhaps a little off balance initially for my personal ways, but fans of Joe's wines will lap this up and with some 'air time' or the cellar this settles into a nice rhythm. There's no denying the quality of Joe's hand tended fruit, when allowed to shine. 91 

Tasted on: Tuesday 7th August, a Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 14.7%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.ballycroft.com/

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Rymill Shiraz 2015

Coonawarra is obviously better known for its Cabernet, then perhaps the Terra Rossa. Which comes first mind, in the hierarchy?

Dusty, dusky, Plum with oak remnants sitting around the core. 

More oak sitting prominently in the palate, swamps the fruit. Firm and forceful through the middle. Not one of finesse, it's rather stern. Smoky oak is really what leads here. 89 

Tasted on: Friday 3rd August, a Leaf to Fruit day 
Source: Sample
Price: $32
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.rymill.com.au/

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Tim Adams Riesling 2018

Pristine Clare Valley Riesling on display here. It's that heavenly mix of spring blossoms meets bruised lime, with perhaps a suggestion kumquat marmalade lurking in the background.

Has the zip wire focus Riesling in youth so often has, a guidewire off which citrus hangs and, surprisingly, a chalky pucker is felt. Not entirely unusual in Clare Riesling, but often examples twice the price. 92

Tasted on: Sunday 5th August, a Fruit day 

Source: Sample
Price: $22
Alcohol: 11%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.timadamswines.com.au

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Edenflo Old Vine Syrah 2017

Satsuma Plum meets orange oil infusion - is like an essential oil enthusiasts favourite wine. Pretty in the aromatics, jocularity aside. 

Succulent on entry, depth and and intensity of flavour with persistent tannins that roll through the palate. At once its both succulent and also firm in how it presents itself. 

Quite superb drinking. Highlighting both winemaker's skill and Eden Valley's charms. 94 

Tasted on: Thursday 2nd August, a Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $45
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Cork
Website: TBC

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Robert Stein The Kinnear Shiraz 2014

Smells dense and dark, a whiff of Pan juices - dark and sticky. It's an experience, on aroma alone. You sense the initial introduction will be intense. 

Lithe, silken on entry - then it hits. It's a liquid slap, one that reverberates across the palate sending waves of flavour. Tannin, fine-grained, many a suggestion of spice through it. There's nary a suggestion of fruit, shrouded and crowded as it is by the spice and oak. 

An experience, sullen for now - its best is ahead of it, for 24 hours later it started to sing. 94

Tasted on: Saturday 4th August, a Fruit day 
Source: Sample
Price: $80
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap (Stelvin Luxe)
Website: https://robertstein.com.au/

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Down to Earth Sauvignon Blanc 2017

Subtlety could almost be the watchword here. For a variety known for its nigh boisterous and overt aromatic, Xavier Bizot has teased out a wine that's balance and neatness personified.

There's gentle texture, more phenolic derived than weight, that just carries the wine as it slowly ebbs across the palate. Moderate acidity, again it's more about the length and carry of flavour here. Exceptional winemaking. 92

Tasted on: Sunday 5th August
Source: Sample
Price: $26
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://terreaterre.com.au/

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