Harewood Estate Denmark Riesling 2018

Look, I'm not infallible, this - for me - was the least impressive of the sub-regional Rieslings produced out of Harewood. The others having an impressive pedigree and showing from the 2018 releases reviewed. From something of a rare planting of Riesling in sub-maritime Denmark.

Cut grass, herb, blackcurrant leaf, Passionfruit. Acidic, this similar to the Porongurup, comes across more like a Sauvignon Blanc, with its herb and grapefruit acidity. Tart, more of a bitter lemon conclusion. 

Unsure. 89 

Tasted on: Thursday 27th December, a Fruit day 
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.harewoodestate.com.au/

Follow me: http://twitter.com/TheVinsomniac

Warramunda Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

Spends three months on skins before being pressed off to tank, then racked back to French Oak barriques.

Yarra Cabernet is an interesting beast, ripeness can be an issue in cooler spots. Here it's borderline, carrying the herbaceous, woody edge over a red fruit undercurrent. 

That said it's beautifully poised, weighted. Black fruit imbued with the savoury, fine tannin and a gentle flowing length. 92

Tasted on: Thursday 21st February, a Fruit to Root day 

Source: Sample

Price: 50

Alcohol: 13.8%

Closure: DIAM

Website: https://warramundaestate.com.au

 

Juniper Small Batch Tempranillo 2017

The first Juniper wine I tasted, possibly some ten years ago when friends shared a bottle back in the day. If only serves to show how long Juniper have been playing with a variety that can be very hit and miss in Australia. 

Carries the Berry driven lines of Tempranillo, with that furtively lurking savoury undercurrent, just present. 

Cherry, a tart Blueberry pop, a creamy vanilla sweep. A rasp of tannin that casts across the palate, long and fine. Cocoa powder finish. 91 

Tasted on: Saturday 30th March, a Fruit to Root day 

Source: Sample
Price: $27
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.juniperestate.com.au

Follow me: http://twitter.com/TheVinsomniac

Pizzini Pinot Grigio 2018

Succulent pear, almost brimming and dripping with the flavour and aroma one hopes, certainly expects of a Grigio (of Italian heritage).

That said, I was hoping for more of a clipped an acid forward line. Rather, here, it has more of a rounded and textural resolve. No denying the quality, just the designated marker. 91 

Tasted on: Saturday 2nd March, a Fruit to Root day 
Source: Sample
Price: $21
Alcohol: TBC
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.pizzini.com.au

Follow me: http://twitter.com/TheVinsomniac

Castle Rock Estate Shiraz 2015

Classic cool climate Shiraz here. I saw this peanut brittle character - something i've often seen in Shiraz from the Canberra district.

Complete with delightfully balanced blackberry, briar - smooth, mellifluous fruit; firmish graphite tannin completes the picture. Medium bodied, nice freshness.  92

Tasted on: Saturday 15th December 
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://castlerockestate.com.au

Follow me: http://twitter.com/TheVinsomniac

Huntington Estate Tim Stevens Signature Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

A 50/50 blend of Cabernet and Shiraz. The Cabernet portion from the estate's Block 3 and sent off to 70% aged French oak; Shiraz was taken from Block 1, being sent off to 60% New American. And yes, those things matter for what they impart to the wine, whether you care or not is up to you. 

It's deep, rich, a subtle toast is present, lurking seated in the wine. There's a Plummy aspect to the wine, certainly a dark black fruited nature. It's nimble, quite deft, for all its heft. A freshening acidic presence, carrying a wash of fruit across the palate. 

Delicately poised, not something I expected to say, ultra-fine tannin and a seemingly perpetual finish. It's balanced and well set for a duration in the cellar, easily 2030. 94 

Tasted on: Tuesday 28th May, a Flower to Leaf day 
Source: Sample
Price: $100
Alcohol: 14.1%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://huntingtonestate.com.au

Follow me: http://twitter.com/TheVinsomniac

Robert Stein Farm Series Rosé 2018

Strawberry, rose, elements of Turkish Delight. Soft, inviting, a suggestion of fruit sweetness juxtaposed against the tartness. 

An acidic bitterness judges the wine rather harshly, somewhat punctuating it before its sweeping softness on a length. It drinks OK, though there are better. 88 

Tasted on: Friday 18th January, a Root day 
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: TBC
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://robertstein.com.au

Follow me: http://twitter.com/TheVinsomniac