Tim Adams Riesling 2021

Tim Adams Riesling 2021

  08:30    Stu.

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So it would appear 2021 is being lauded as a stellar vintage in Clare, at least something of potential has come from what has been quite a troubling period.

Bath salts, lavender, suggestion of lemon grass and lime juice.

There's a sharp and focal intensity to the wine, geared around citrus, possessing drive through to the finish.

It fades on that length, lingering sufficiently to leave a lasting presence on the palate - before the next glass that is. 92

Tasted on: Wednesday 28th July
Source: Sample
Price: $24
Alcohol: 11.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.timadamswines.com.au/

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Jules Taylor Pinot Noir 2020

Jules Taylor Pinot Noir 2020

  13:54    Stu.

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Firmer, meatier style of Pinot Noir from the Marlborough region and the hand of Jules Taylor.

Dark fruit, oak seasoning and tilled earth on offer. Stylistically it's medium to full bodied, dark fruits represent and segue to a firm - yet fine - tannin profile that carries a dark and firm line through the finish. 91

Tasted on: Thursday 29th July
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.julestaylor.com/

Sample courtesy of: Single Vineyard Sellers  

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Parish Vineyard Coal River Valley Riesling 2020

Parish Vineyard Coal River Valley Riesling 2020

  22:20    Stu.

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Tasmanian Riesling from the Coal River Valley, some 30KMs north-east of Hobart.

It's of a prominent citrus bent, a little marmalade, green mango and apple - add some freshening sea spray on the nose and you're pretty much there.

The palate is fresh, tangy, hint of salinity flowing through - seemingly adding both length and width. The backbone to the wine is long, with a finer length than - say - the bristling acidity of an example from Eden Valley, where proprietor Robert Hill-Smith and winemaker Louisa Rose ply their trade.

This calls for a dozen, freshly shucked and with a simple squeeze of lemon to compliment. That briny edge just matching the Oyster shell for me. 93

Tasted on: Monday 2nd August
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.hsfv.com/

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Calabria Three Bridges Grenache 2019

Calabria Three Bridges Grenache 2019

  08:30    Stu.

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Three Bridges named after the three weigh bridges built adjacent to the original winery.

The brand is now multi-regional, here sourcing premium Barossa Grenache.

Dense and plummy, as much about region.as variety. It's succulent on initial entry, cushioned and supple across the palate.

Latently there's a darker edge, almost blackcurrant like, and with a licorice and spice edge that adds a deeper complexity to it. 92

Tasted on: Sunday 9th May
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.calabriawines.com.au

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Geoff Merrill Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Geoff Merrill Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

  08:30    Stu.

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A blend of McLaren Vale (53%) and Coonawarra (47%) fruit.

Released with the age on it, still retaining an element of youth, vigour and freshness.

Plummy, damson, blackcurrant notes on the nose. The palate conveying an acidic freshness, tannin is firm and somewhat robust still now. Gives a firmness and provides length and depth of flavour.

Somewhat older school in its presentation, an observation - nothing more. Matched this a medium reverse seared rib fillet on the bone, the tannin/protein match-up a perfect pairing to highlight the depth and even of a touch of char in the oak.

In the zone now, yet still with plenty ahead of it. Bottle August 2017 after a whopping 36m in a mix of French and American oak. 94

Tasted on: Saturday 5th June
Source: Sample
Price: $50
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.geoffmerrillwines.com.au/

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Tapanappa Piccadilly Valley Chardonnay 2020

Tapanappa Piccadilly Valley Chardonnay 2020

  21:13    Stu.

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Very Hills and Tapanappa in profile, citrus and nectarine with a smattering of oak (one third new) in support: there, yet allowing the fruit to shine.

Decent length here, a fine line with a just there acidity. It's all about the balance.

Something like a grapefruit tang through that length, leading to a somewhat straightforward package overall (in the context of its brethren within the portfolio). 91

Tasted on: Sunday 23rd May
Source: Sample
Price: $39
Alcohol: 13.9%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://tapanappa.com.au/

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De Bortoli Melba Amphora Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

De Bortoli Melba Amphora Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

  07:30    Stu.

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Cabernet from the Yarra Valley doesn't normally spend 150 days on skins in 1000l  amphora, being then pressed off and sent to older French oak. On this showing perhaps it should.

It's less about the aromatics, as perhaps is logical given from the techniques employed in its making.

It's both silken, velvet smooth, switching to a fine and tight grain of tannin that acts as a vehicle for a wine of depth to emerge through to its finish.

It's deep, classy and displaying a persistence of flavour through to its lengthy conclusion. A worthy inclusion in any cellar. 94

Tasted on: Wednesday 26th May
Source: Sample
Price: $80
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: DIAM
Website: debortoli.com.au

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