Huntington Estate Barrel Ferment Chardonnay 2018

Toasty, barrel fermented funk going on. Grilled stonefruit softens that initial hit, adding a fruity succulence to the wine. Nougat, cashew - both serve to supplement things. 

That all flows through to the palate, a citrus edge adds flow and length to the wine. Hints of acid cut and thrust, perhaps a touch domineering at this early juncture. 

Impressive release, as ever, from the Huntington crew. 90 

Tasted on: Monday 6th may, a Fruit to Root day 
Source: Sample
Price: $27
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://huntingtonestate.com.au

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d'Arenberg The Hermit Crab Viognier Marsanne 2018

Has this golden aura, a succulent and rounded aromatic profile with stonefruit top notes. The Viognier is principal variety here and it shows. 

It's rich and loaded on the palate, the vanilla edged Marsanne staking its claim here. It's got a sweeter edge too, akin to a baked apricot pastry or such. It's fleshiness singing, filling the void of your oral cavity. 90 

Tasted on: Friday 10th May, a Flower to Leaf day

Source: Sample
Price: $18
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.darenberg.com.au

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Terre à Terre Piccadilly Rosé 2018

Pinot Noir (82%) and Chardonnay (18%) drawn from the Bizot, Heysen and Summertown vineyards in the Piccadilly Valley (Adelaide Hills) originally destined for sparkling base, this being made from the pressings. 

Onion skin accents lure the eye in, red fruit and stonefruit tickles the olfactory organ. Time on lees in old oak for 9 months adds palate depth and weight, a light phenolic edge adding to that further. 

A crispness with lingering acidity, tugs things along, luring you back for another glass. 93

Tasted on: Thursday 9th May
Source: Sample
Price: $32
Alcohol: 12.8%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://terreaterre.com.au/

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Juniper Crossing Shiraz 2017

Hal Bibby, Juniper Distribution and Marketing Manager, is a generous soul and good for a yarn.

The accompanying info for the sample pack this wine was included in was preceded by a great summary (though perhaps that word itself undersells it) of the vintage conditions in Margs.

Behold, to the wine in question, and from the get-go it truly is a riot of berry derived aromatics that sits over an underlying edge of spice, a nod to the 10% whole bunch inclusion.

Even unto the palate, it's a soft and succulent wine initially, before more of that spice character makes itself very well know, with an assertiveness that almost masks some fine tannin on a decent tail of flavour.

Margs Shiraz is overlooked with its more famous Bordeaux influenced friends, on this showing the crowd may well think differently. 91

Tasted on: Friday 29th March
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.juniperestate.com.au/

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Hastwell & Lightfoot Montepulciano 2017

"Wines made for eating", nice tagline from the Hastwell and Lightfoot crew - a brand name I feel I've known for an age. 

Initially deep and dark, before the onset of lighter and brighter fruit sitting at its core. It's boysenberry, perhaps a suggestion of raspberry in the frame too. 

I'd paired this with some kebabs that we'd liberally introduced to some oregano, so that herbal - and Mediterranean - association ran long. 

The tannin feels a little gruff, almost ferrous; the wine itself carrying an air, a lightness as it springs across the palate. 89 

Tasted on: Friday 15th March, a Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://hastwellandlightfoot.com.au

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Shaw Estate Riesling 2018

Beautifully fragrant from Canberra District's Shaw Estate here. It's all manner of things, ranging from crisp green apple and kaffir lime, to a little bath salt and delicate soft tropical fruit.

I'd personally be looking to harness those aromatics and marry to some spice, think Thai green mango salad or such, pack some heat, add some scallops even - for an Aussie take on a classic.

At 5g residual it's not sweet, but there's a little unfermented in there and that adds to the texture and body. Doubly adding to its case as a screamer for some chilli, in my humble.

Tasted on: Wednesday 13th March
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 11.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://shawwines.com.au

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Harewood Estate Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2018

Grassy, citrus, over a milky sage like aroma. Certainly speaking of its lead component. Assertive acidity combined with the tropical nuances provide the wines initial energy.

The passionfruit essence giving way to an amalgam of spice and flint-like notes. Good blending here, fine wine. 91

Tasted on: Saturday 2nd March
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.harewoodestate.com.au/

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