Fat 'n' Skinny Pinot Grigio 2018

Soft and ripe pear, hints of what feels like flaked almond. Gentle florals adding to the overall package. 

Quite generous across the palate, texture and a crispness of acidity and spice. Balanced, varietal, not sure what more one could want or ask of the variety.

You'd not be disappointed here, perhaps showing the advantage an extra year in bottle brings (2018, released in 2020). 90 

Tasted on: Wednesday 24th June
Source: Sample
Price: $22
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://hastwellandlightfoot.com.au/

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Langmeil Blockbuster Shiraz 2017

A dense Plum and Mulberry mix of fruit, consistent across both aroma and palate. 

On a cool Autumn eve, this paired well with a simple pan fried grass fed Sirloin, both providing the comfort that such a night demanded.

The palate also conveys a succulence, a fine thread of silken tannin that pulls along a subtle frame of oak in support. It's an oft written cliché that a generous red can be like sinking into a favourite easy chair, yet the soft palate and gentle oak frame of this wine convey just that. 89

Tasted on: Monday 25th May
Source: Retail
Price: $25
Alcohol: TBC
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.langmeilwinery.com.au/

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La Violetta Ü Röck Döts 2018

A blend of Gewürztraminer, Riesling and Grauburgunder. 

Rosewater and muskiness of the Gewürz leads, and certainly flows through to the palate too. I specifically chose this to match the heat of some fresh chilli in a Thai Curry - boy is it more than up for the task! 

Even with what feels like lavish texture with the extra sugar, there's still a finesse and a mineral quality across the palate. It's co-fermented in large format oak, I'd suggest that further aids texture and body, and coupled with quality fruit gives driving length. 

Bloody good wine, even better pairing for the bird's eyes liberally applied. 94 

Tasted on: Wednesday 24th June 
Source: Retail
Price: $44
Alcohol: 12%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://laviolettawines.com.au/

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Yelland and Papps Vin de Soif 2017

It seems there's been a subtle shift in the release strategy of Yelland & Papp's Vin de Soif. From previous reviews (notes here) it was typically released some 18 months post-harvest, now something approaching three years. Observation, nothing more.

The blend, being Grenache, Mataro and Carignan, is consitent. The wine itself opens with the fresh, less-is-more, allure of bright, fresh and crunchy Grenache derived red fruit. 

Light, open and airy on initial taste, giving way to depth - there's approimately 38% whole bunch used - and crunch on the palate. Jeez, it's been a while between drinks for myself and the 'Soif', yet the thirst remains strong.

This wine is a testament to the quality of fruit and winemaking, freshness personified, released as a 3yo you'd easily be forgiven thinking it a fresh, nouveau style 2020 release. Impressive. 92

Tasted on: Thursday 25th June 

Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 13.9%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://yellandandpapps.com/

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Brave New Wine Hercules & Sunshine Riesling 2019

Sees some skin contact before being pressed off to a ceramic egg and a new French oak barrel for maturation on lees.It's floral and spice tinged, quite unlike other Riesling from within, and without.

Layered, textured, cascading in waves across the palate. As pretentious as that sounds, instead see it as saying: f**king delicious. I make few apologies for the profanity.

Some residual spiced nuance - indicative of that use of some portion of new barrel - just adds depth to the layering. 91 

Tasted on: Saturday 9th May
Source: Retail
Price: $35
Alcohol: 12.7%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://bravenewwine.com.au/

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Mottura Primitivo del Salento IGT 2018

Woodsy, touch of milk chocolate, fennel tops/ licorice. Straddling that savoury vibe, with hints of fruit. 

Supple and lithe palate, medium bodied, with a milky and creamy blackcurrant and plum fruit presence. Tannins are fine grained, carrying that aforementioned savoury/fruit mix along. 90 

Tasted on: Wednesday 13th May 
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: DIAM
Sample courtesy of: www.singlevineyards.com 

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Jeanneret Big Fine Girl Riesling 2019

Riesling is typically regarded as the cash cow of the wine industry, able to get from Vine to bottle in anywhere from around 2-4 months. Not so here, where this example - picked over two days in early March 2019 - spending over 200 days on lees.

Strong lime game, that time on lees if anything has turbo charged the aromatics. Apple skins, lemon zest and subtle tropical edge making up the mix. 

The palate is generous, rounded, textural; the pronounced citrus flowing through to the palate. There's a natural zip of acidity that briskly urges things along. 93 

Tasted on: Sunday 26th April 
Source: Retail
Price: $22.99
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.jeanneretwines.com/

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