Murray Street Vineyards Viognier Marsanne 2010

Murray Street Vineyards Viognier Marsanne 2010

  14:25    Stu.

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A 60/40 blend respectively, the wine is a representation of its constituent parts.  Aromatically of Viognier: apricot, peach and a touch of honeysuckle.  It's pretty and very approachable. The palate, in contrast, shows quite a 'nutty' entry - the Marsanne...

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Rusty Mutt Shiraz 2006

Rusty Mutt Shiraz 2006

  08:21    Stu.

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By day, 'Rusty Mutt' is a 20 year career employee, now Senior Winemaker, for an eponymous named Jimmy Watson winning, cricket loving winemaker/ winery.   5 years back, the Rusty Mutt label was born with this release. On the nose an immediate whiff of sweet...

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Hewitson Old Garden Mourvèdre 2002

Hewitson Old Garden Mourvèdre 2002

  09:43    Stu.

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"Making this wine is not a challenge, it's a humbling experience" - Dean Hewitson, CEO & Winemaker, Hewitson Wines  Made from eight rows of Mourvèdre, reputed to be oldest of the variety in the world, approaching 160 years now.  Dry grown, all original - no replants.  From the Rowland Flat sub-region of the Barossa Valley, situated in the perfect soil for Mataro:...

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Nepenthe Pinot Gris 2011

Nepenthe Pinot Gris 2011

  18:39    Stu.

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There's a bit of care that goes into the making of this wine: hand picked, whole bunch pressed, and even some use of one to two year old oak to provide additional complexity. Ticks the right aromatic aromatic boxes with varietal pear, blossom and florals. But for...

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Barossa Muster 'M' Mataro 2007

Barossa Muster 'M' Mataro 2007

  14:41    Stu.

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The winery weren't initially sure what to call the wine, opting for 'M' as its name and consequently using each of Mataro, Monastrell and Mourvèdre on the label. Damp earth, kirsch, a hint of cassis.  Smooth, rounded, plump pillow feel in the mouth; fruit...

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Tempus Two Copper Series Sauvignon Blanc 2011

Tempus Two Copper Series Sauvignon Blanc 2011

  15:20    Stu.

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I'm not a huge Savvy fan, but there are a few producers doing interesting things with the variety like Mitchell Harris, Nepenthe and now Tempus Two. Eschewing standard tank fermentation, they've opted to go 100% French Oak fermentation to create this Savvy with a...

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BK Wines Cult Syrah 2010

BK Wines Cult Syrah 2010

  07:52    Stu.

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I've written up some notes from previous tastings of BK wines here and here, including this wine.  This wine is BK's nod to Crozes-Hermitage, an homage to Crozes-Hermitage if you wish.  Hand harvested, de-stemmed but whole berry.  Pumped over once a...

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Deisen Shiraz 2004

Deisen Shiraz 2004

  07:21    Stu.

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On day 1 it was all about plush, rich chocolate against blueberry and raspberry goodness. Oak was considerate, framing the chocolate and berry.  Roll forward a day and the oak presents itself somewhat more obviously. The palate: smooth, silk scarf smooth on entry.  The mid-palate shows lush, richness which gives way to some cinnamon.  Fair whack of heat coming through.   Looked...

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Hoddles Creek Estate 1er Pinot Blanc 2010

Hoddles Creek Estate 1er Pinot Blanc 2010

  08:50    Stu.

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Winemaker Franco d'Anna is on record as stating that this wine needs a year in bottle to show its true colours.  I wish the economics of running a business could be ignored, enabling it to be released with that time under its belt. It is really quite remarkable. Aromatically...

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Thorn-Clarke William Randell Shiraz 2008

Thorn-Clarke William Randell Shiraz 2008

  20:58    Stu.

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Pumped over for colour, extraction and tannin.  And it shows.  This is Barossan Shiraz as many know it.  It's all about black fruits, liquorice and some intense oak complementing some chocolate.  The oak, 100% new, French.   This...

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Thorn-Clarke Morello Nebbiolo 2008

Thorn-Clarke Morello Nebbiolo 2008

  20:51    Stu.

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Interesting wine this.  Tasted at the Brisbane Good Food and Wine Show, initially it was all about black and red fruits with some good cherry thrown in (and reflecting the Morello name). Roll forward a day, stick it into a Riedel Vinnum Syrah glass and it's...

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Piper's Brook Vineyard Gewürztraminer 2008

Piper's Brook Vineyard Gewürztraminer 2008

  07:33    Stu.

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My first  Gewürz posted up here.  Good balance of fruit, acid and a touch of mineral - aided by the cool climate of Tasmania  - that makes the isle so suited to varieties like Gewürztraminer.  Mostly sourced from a planted in 1974 with the balance...

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Taylors St Andrews Single Vineyard Riesling 2007

Taylors St Andrews Single Vineyard Riesling 2007

  06:37    Stu.

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Possibly the biggest compliment you can pay to a wine is to drink it and to then want to order more and then drink that too.  Suffice to say, this is an impressive wine. It has some history behind it coming, off of the historic St Andrews vineyard....

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BK Wines: Still Hand Made

BK Wines: Still Hand Made

  08:16    Stu.

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Back in July I had the pleasure of tasting through BK's range of wines.  I quoted a paragraph from UK scribe Jamie Goode, the final sentence of which was "I just want them to get the credit they deserve". Even the most talented , whatever their profession, need a helping hand sometimes and some top ratings for the 2010 Cult Syrah (96) and 2010 One Ball Chardonnay (94) from James Halliday had...

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