Terre a Terre Summertown Reserve 2017

2017 was a warm, yet late, vintage and the finicky Pinot Noir required extra management to see it through a growing season. The extra care didn't stop in the vintage, with additional work from the winemakers hand.

Soft and succulent, red berry fruit awash across the nose. A slight sapid hint alludes to the inclusion of a small portion (15%) of whole bunch in the fermentation.

The palate a joyous unison of savoury, sweet, with textural elements - tannin and width. Seeing four weeks on skins for additional tannin extraction.

Latterly an element of blackcurrant peeks through, a sweet accent to a harmonious wine. 92 

Tasted on: Saturday 29th September 
Source: Sample
Price: $40
Alcohol: 14.2%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://terreaterre.com.au

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Cook's Lot Riesling 2018

Fresh and fragrant, it's all at you with its tropical ways. Think guava-esque notes and a dribble of lime, squeezed for added freshness. 

Minerally with a tang across the bow, it's long on flavour too. An initial intensity delivers a sensory assault, a burst and pop of flavour that brings with it more kaffir and brown lime. 

That length mentioned earlier then slowly draws the experience out, a lingering presence until the next intake. 92 

Tasted on: Sunday 30th September
Source: Sample
Price: $23
Alcohol: 12%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.cookslot.com.au/

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Daosa Natural Reserve NV

Badged as an NV wine, yet with 85% base wine from 2016 it could equally be declared as a vintage. It's also 85% Pinot Noir, the balance being Chardonnay. 

The Natural part refers - I think - to the addition of zero sulphur.

Delicate: quince, stonefruit, with a suggestion of brioche, buttery and sweet. It has the appearance of being softer in its presentation.

Biscuit, with a caramelised edge. A fine mousse and textural softness, more like an apricot Danish with respect to its flavour profile. Gentle length, ebbing along - sustained in its presence. 93 

Tasted on: Saturday 29th September

Source: Sample
Price: $40
Alcohol: 12.1%
Closure: Cork
Website: https://terreaterre.com.au

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Out of Step Wine Co. Margin Walker Sauvignon Blanc 2016

The 2016 guise of the Margin Walker comes from the Willowlake Vineyard (the 2015 being off of Lusatia Park, a fruit source prior to its acquisition by De Bortoli).

Made primarily from a single bin of fruit. It was sent to two one year old barriques to ferment naturally, and then mature. 

Smelling more like a mature Chardonnay, all honeyed and stone fruit rich. It simply oozes with charm and character. Texturally lavish, it comes with a vanilla and stonefruit profile - quite unlike any Sauvignon Blanc you’re like to have tasted before, unless of course it came from the Out of Step crew.

Grapefruit drops add further substance, and provide the lead in to a long, flowing finish. Simply put, this is quite exemplary Sauvignon Blanc. Words I don’t often write. 94 

Tasted on: Tuesday 2nd October
Source: Sample
Price: $34
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.outofstepwineco.com

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Margan White Label Semillon 2017

Lime and lemon butter, hints of lemon grass. Initially some menthol - but that had dissipated with some time. 

Soft and rounded, initially the acid quite flacid, again with time the energy gains. Soft and fleshy, has texture and width - enough meat about the bones, so to speak. 

More akin to something like a Roussanne. I'd hazard this will grow in stature with time. 91 

Tasted on: Sunday 30th September 

Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.margan.com.au

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Bremerton Racy Rosé 2018

Not too much to write about here. Safe Rosé by the numbers.

Sweeter Berry aromatics, toffee-apple, cranberry and a little rose. Needs a chill, there's sweetness and softness - a balancing phenolic edge, a welcome counterpoint. Length, OK. 89 

Tasted on: Saturday 29th September
Source: Sample
Price: $17
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.bremerton.com.au

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Out of Step Wine Co Summerhill Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2017

The OoS team are not only raising the bar for Sauvignon Blanc production in Australia, I'd actually hazard they're redefining the rules. 

Opening with a honeysuckle and citrus imbued aroma, with a suggestion of tropical fruit flowing underneath. There's the barest grassy hint in the frame, just SB's calling card - leaving its mark.

What I love here is the freshness, the acidity that just gives so much energy, and totally lacking the shrill that so often afflicts the variety. It feels so pure, so fresh. Redefining the variety. 93 

Tasted on: Monday 1st October
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.outofstepwineco.com

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