d'Arenberg The High Trellis Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

Eighteen bucks and delivers in spades, the blackcurrant truck was well and truly backed up for this release, repeatedly. Primarily fruit driven, latent savoury hints sit in the background: black olive, tomato leaf and herb. 

Fresh, tangy with acidity in tune with the body of the wine. Presence of fruit, a little more of the herbal mix, though it does run out of steam and puff through the middle third. 

Holds up incredibly well over some time open. 90

Tasted on: Thursday 19th April, a Root day 
Source: Sample
Price: $18
Alcohol: 14.8%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.darenberg.com.au

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Ferngrove Off-Dry Riesling 2017

Ooh, this one's a goer, more of the tropical mien to it - think something like a mandarin and lime marmalade, a little cumquat for good measure. 

The aroma carries more of that subtle minerality that you might suspect betrays a sweetness within. More of that limey citrus on the palate, a harder edge with some zesty acidity balancing out the sweeter aspects. 88

Tasted on: Wednesday 18th April
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 11%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.ferngrove.com.au

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Patina Scandalous Riesling 2016

Not quite sure what the scandal is here, a Riesling with higher levels of sugar can be one of life's great pleasures. Perhaps the scandal is that the drinking masses are not aware of this ("It may be false, it may be true; but nothing has been proved").

So, about that sugar, it's 24g/l residual sugar (a typical 'dry' sugar, would be around 4-5, and 10 at most). Aromatically it offers lime, apple and event a hint of honeydew melon.

Soft and succulent, chewy almost. There's an unmistakable citrus hit that swings through the back palate. Solid. 89

Tasted on: Wednesday 18th April
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 11.1%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.patinawines.com.au/

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d'Arenberg Coppermine Road Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

This 2015 release was polarising. Day 1 it was sullen and the body inconsistent. A day later it was a different beast, rewarding the patient.

Salt bush, bay, blackcurrant lurks in the background, with damson. There's cedar wood offering a delightful seasoning over a core of fruit. 

Twists of Mediterranean herb, oregano/marjoram and the like. Seasoning of cedar, pepper. Inherently more savoury. With time the black fruit shows a strong hand on entry and through the core of the wine. 

Tannin profile feels gravelly and coarse initially, before a finer presence makes itself known. A little dark chocolate bitterness concludes the wine, it's on an impressive length, yet my overall conclusion is it does still need time to mesh together. Really more about the parts being greater than the sum at present. But I consider this an excellent cellaring prospect 92+ 

Tasted on: Sunday 15th April, a Leaf day and Monday 16th April, a Leaf to Fruit day 
Source: Sample
Price: $70
Alcohol: 14.3%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.darenberg.com.au

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Wirra Wirra Church Block 2016

Church Block smelling mighty fine, for all its intoxicating mix of Cabernet and Shiraz (plus a dollop of Merlot for good measure). It carries the plummy/damson/Mulberry signature with a generous carry of chocolate and damp earth.

Simply good to go now, the fruit well pitched with a fine rub of tannin. Mere suggestion of oak lends middle-weight support, delivering a wine that successfully straddles both generosity and substance. 

Consistently a cracking release, the 2016 no exception. 92 

Tasted on: Wednesday 18th April, a Fruit to Root day 
Source: Sample
Price: $22
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.wirrawirra.com

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Angullong Fossil Hill Tempranillo 2016

Hints of dough and balsa-wood. Seasoning and shavings of cedary oak. 

Fuller, powdery fine tannin, glimpses of black fruit before an astringent bitterness towards the back palate. Cocoa powder, blue fruit glimpses. Finish moderate. Questionable. 

Surprising. 88 

Tasted on: Thursday 13th April, A Flower day 
Source: Sample
Price: $26
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.angullong.com.au

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Katnook Estate Shiraz 2015

Not the first variety that springs to mind when you think of Coonawarra, but then Katnook have always seemed to have a handle on the variety.

Dried earth, meets cedary oak - comes across as dry and dusty, a little like the Coonawarra soils. 

Cassis/blackcurrant, hints of anise, smooth and creamy palate - definition and fine tannin. Good flavour penetration and persistence. 92 

Tasted on: Sunday 1st April, a Root to Flower day 
Source: Sample
Price: $40
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.katnookestate.com.au

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