Rusty Mutt Rocky Ox GSM 2018

The thing that's most impressed me about the Rusty Mutt wines is the balance. Approachable now, yet not without depth and substance. They're just there, unforced, just so. 

The palate on this GSM shows the leading Grenache based red fruit presence, with the accompanying depth of its counterparts.

A generous tail of flavour casts a long shadow across the palate; generosity, balance and persistence. 91

Tasted on: Saturday 29th February 
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.rustymutt.com.au/

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Huntington Estate Special Reserve Chardonnay 2019

Comes across full, not quite buttery, something like lemon butter. Hints of grilled nut oak in support, stonefruit gloss. Adding up to an up and at you aromatic profile.

Voluptuous, textural, rolls across the palate, nigh chewy, touches of nougat; a wine to stop and consider. It's balanced, although you wouldn't necessarily consider it a delicate wine.

It's fullness - and volume - seemingly command attention. Good wine, generous to a tee. 92 

Tasted on: Monday 24th February 
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: TBC
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://huntingtonestate.com.au/

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Wirra Wirra Church Block 2018

Excellent value here in this stalwart red blend (51/ 38/ 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot respectively) from Wirra Wirra in McLaren Vale.

Deep, rich, cedar, mulberry with remnants of cassis barely riding shotgun. It's of its parts, its place, and its heritage. The palate is of a darker bent than in previous years, it's assured of a road ahead of it, yet give it a good decant and it will reward now. 

Flowing evenly across the palate, assured in its conviction; tannins are tight and fine, suggestive of that structure around which it will gain in complexity. Length and conviction. Drink now to ten years. 92 

Tasted on: Wednesday 13th May 
Source: Sample
Price: $22
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.wirrawirra.com/

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Liv Zak Malbec 2018

Rose, damson, smattering of new oak in the mix. More of a lightness on entry, with a spike of acidity; a real openness and airy kinda vibe. Yarra Valley Malbec - as a single varietal - is not a common occurrence, part of a blend - yes.

Token black fruit hints, touch of pastille about it, but not quite the full picnic for mine. Just feeling a touch hollow. 88 

Tasted on: Wednesday 19th February 
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://warramundaestate.com.au/

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Shaw Vineyard Estate Riesling 2019

Green apple, hints of bath salt; fragrant and floral - pleasant aromatics before a cool acidic thrust on the palate.

Lemon sherbet acidity dazzles across the palate, veers toward a little orange and tropicals to add further presence and appeal. A release of generosity and appeal. 92 

Tasted on: Friday 3rd April
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 11%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://shawwines.com.au/

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Tapanappa Whalebone Vineyard Cabernet Franc Merlot 2016

Classic right bank (Bordeaux) blend of Cabernet Franc (as opposed to Cabernet Sauvignon being king on the left). Wrattonbully in the far east of the state of South Australia has a cool, maritime influenced, climate - from memory the whalebone reference being to the fact the region was under sea way back in the past, and whale bone have been found in the region.

Cabernet France's aromatic play is on show here, bright and intense, puppy blackcurrant and suggestions of redcurrant. Can be mistaken for a mintiness; bright, fragrant and fresh. The palate seemingly at odds to that, carrying a depth and intensity. It conveys the freshness, granted; fine and silt like tannin building in intensity, drawing flavour with it.

The Tapanappa wines are generally exceptional, this carrying on that fine lineage. Should be in the cellar of every Australian wine lover. 95 

Tasted on: Sunday 1st March 
Source: Sample
Price: $90
Alcohol: 15%
Closure: Cork
Website: https://tapanappa.com.au/

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d'Arenberg The Coppermine Road Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

Cedary oak over Plum - firm and assertive, riper - as the Icons seem to be this year, indeed the Ironstone Pressings GSM has been held back for now, when historically the trio has been released simultaneously.

Finer tannin profile - again consistent with the Dead Arm - coats the mouth, feeling tighter and giving that sense of brooding quality.

I've been on record. In the past that Coppermine Road has consistently been a favourite amongst the trio, and indeed McLaren Vale Cabernet in general is received favourably on these pages. 

The releases this year seem... different, is what I am saying. Finer, somewhat sullen, waiting to unfurl. I'm going to go long here, history will judge. 94 

Tasted on: Tuesday 18th February 
Source: Sample
Price: $75
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.darenberg.com.au/

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