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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Tuck's Ridge Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir 2016

Tuck's Ridge has recently been acquired by neighbouring Montalto Estate. Future wines will be overseen by the excellent, restless Simon Black.

Interplay of savoury with the sweet here, initially deep and and perfumed, giving way to Rosella jam. It's not jammy, just a certain aromatic sweetness my lasting aromatic impression. 

Floral, red fruit riven through the middle. Oak and fruit sweetness. It's a fuller, firmer and riper instance of Pinot Noir. Not necessarily what I'd expect from the cooler Mornington Peninsula. 

Decent length. Would benefit from a touch more subtlety, guile. 90 

Tasted on: Wednesday 6th June, a Flower day 
Source: Sample
Price: $TBC
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://tucksridge.com.au/

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Higher Plane The Messenger 2012

This blend from Margaret River (50% Cabernet Sauvignon 24% Malbec, 12% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot) offer the full range of what are considered the traditional grape varieties of Bordeaux. 

At 6 years of age, it's certainly expressive, offering a cocktail of seasoned black fruit, olive skin, cedar and a suggestion of something like anise. 

It's subtle, elegant, the tannin densely structured. It still feels a touch restrained, opening up in the glass with time. There's a floral, almost lavender feel and sense to it. Subtle, enough to make itself known without being over-bearing. 

Just has this graceful air and length to it. Excellent wine. 93 

Tasted on: Thursday 17th May, a Root to Flower day 
Source: Sample
Price: $50
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.higherplanewines.com.au

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