Jules Taylor Sauvignon Blanc 2024

So 2025 marks the twenty-fifth vintage for Jules Taylor, and with this release you can see where twenty-four years of winemaking excellence can get you!

A delightfully expressive example of the variety and place. From the go it's red apple skin, passionfruit, blackcurrant leaf and a suggestion of the hallmark gooseberry, here honed rather than allowed free reign.

The palate possesses a quartzy minerality, with a little salinity roaming through the finish. A lovely example. 93

Tasted on: Sunday 13th April
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 13.3%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.julestaylor.com/

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First Ridge Fiano 2024

When I was tasting this there was a Mint and Panko crusted lamb rack presentation on TV, and I can't escape the green pea and herb freshness in this wine.

So, pea and snow pea, herbal cast, florals, white pepper. Suggestion of almond paste through the middle.

It's a bold expression, that works well. It leaves you feeling satiated, and yearning for more. Generous and persistent finish - go bugs in a light curried broth. 93

Tasted on: Wednesday 2nd October
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.firstridge.com.au/

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Castello Di Meleto Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2020

Vibrant in glass, firm and dense in aroma. It's iodine, fennel tops, cherry and florals. It's a complex and heady mix on offer.

Tight and fine tannin, acid is persistent in line and length. Excellent length, grip, presence. Good to go now, or another ten. 93

Tasted on: Saturday 11th January
Source: Sample
Price: $150

Alcohol: TBC
Closure: Cork
Sample c/o: https://www.singlevineyards.com/ 

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Schild Estate Narrow Road Vineyard Shiraz 2021

From the Narrow Road Vineyard in Rowland Flat, and the site of the original Schild homestead. 

It's a typical structured Shiraz - with a decent splash, 28%, of Cabernet Sauvignon - from the Southern end of the Barossa, with deep set aromatics, of cocoa, coffee grounds, burnt ends. Faint edge of Mulberry, blackcurrant in there too.

There's a plushness across the palate, soft and powdery tannin before a length and presence. Lovely inherent balance and energy, finishing long with a resurgence of the creamy blue fruit. 94

Tasted on: Sunday 23rd February
Source: Sample
Price: $95
Alcohol: 14.8%
Closure: Procork
Website: https://www.schildestate.com.au/

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The Little Wine Co Pinot Grigio 2024

Nashi pear, white florals, honeydew melon notes. Lovely fresh lead in in the nose. Crispness to the palate, slight bitterness on the follow through the palate.

Solid Pinot Grigio, chill to the point where the condensation drips down the bottle when placed at the table and prepare to be refreshed. 90

Tasted on: Saturday 1st February
Source: Sample
Price: $24
Alcohol: 12.8%
Closure: Screwcap

Website: https://www.thelittlewinecompany.com.au/

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The Little Wine Co Pecorino 2024

Not just a cheese variety (Pecorino being a catch-all term for any cheese made entirely from Sheep's whey), but so named after the Italian for sheep 'Pecora' and the old shepherd's route that the vines grew alongside.

Plenty of interest here: cantaloupe melon, Pear William - both aromatically, into and then through the palate.

A slight briny tang lingers, at turns both refreshing and also leaving your yearning for more. Generous length that tugs on. Very enjoyable. 93

Tasted on: Sunday 2nd February
Source: Sample
Price: $28
Alcohol: 12.7%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.thelittlewinecompany.com.au

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The Little Wine Co Lyre Lyre 2023

A white blend of Verdelho, Pecorino, Vermentino, and Albarino (order as listed on the label, not necessarily by contribution to the blend).

Beautiful aromatics: frangipane, almond paste, snow pea tendril. Has a minerally suggestive edge that just catches the nasal cavity - perhaps a little white pepper / rotund one note.

Musk and minerally through the middle, pleasing enough texture a tingly spine of acid. A most pleasing all-rounder. 92

Tasted on: Sunday 2nd February
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 12.4%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.thelittlewinecompany.com.au/

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Huntington Estate Grand Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2021

I'd almost convinced myself I'd seen this before, nearly confusing it with the similarly named and liveried Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon (here). 

Here the Cabernet Sauvignon dominant version is redolent of cool autumnal mornings, touch of earthy-headiness lingering, veering to graphite notes.

The palate a contrast to that, with a deep black fruited heart, of blackcurrant and damson. Hint of black tea, pepper, twist of licorice - a complex mix of elements jostling and jockeying for position.

Tannins at turns coarse, with a glossiness in tandem, moving through a finish of some length. Still at a youthful juncture - look to see these elements ease into each other with some additional time. 93+

Tasted on: Wednesday 22nd January
Source: Sample
Price: $100
Alcohol: 14.2%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.huntingtonestate.com.au/

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The Little Wine Co Albarino 2024

Fresh release of Albarino from Broke Fordwich (Hunter Valley) based The Little Wine Co. Fresh as it's both 2024 vintage, but also personified in its aromatic representation. Its all manner of peach nectar, summer florals, speaking to Summer days spent outside, around the table.

A lick of texture across the palate, against a grace of acidity - both lending itself to a range of foodstuffs. Seafood Paella an acceptable nod to Albarino's homeland Spain.

Personally I'd happily quaff this post-dip in the pool, the condensation rolling down the bottle as the water rolls down your face. That spine of acidity and lingering spice on the finish bringing refreshment, both. 92

Tasted on: Saturday 23rd November

Source: Sample
Price: $32
Alcohol: TBC
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.thelittlewinecompany.com.au/

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Huntington Estate Dry Rosé 2024

A drop positively brimming with sunshine and energy, of strawberry, raspberry and rose.

It is what it says on the bottle, dry - a mineral tinged edge to the wine and a spine of dazzling acidic energy. Dried herb presents itself and that edge of austerity yields to a broader, almost creamy aspect to the wine. Lovely Rosé - a welcome addition to any table. 93

Tasted on: Sunday 12th January
Source: Sample
Price: $28
Alcohol: 13.36%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.huntingtonestate.com.au/

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