Nick O'Leary Riesling 2019

Nick O'Leary Riesling 2019

  16:30    Stu.

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Riesling from the cool of Canberra District in NSW. It opens with notes of florals and browning lime, it feels cooler in its offer and aromatic approach.

Palate possesses a zip and zing about it, a citrus zestiness providing the main thrust of flavour in tandem with granny Smith apple, and that almost powdery sensation that brings with it. Bracing acidity across the length of the finish certainly cleanses the palate. 92 

Tasted on: Saturday 25th April 
Source: Retail
Price: $25
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://nickolearywines.com.au/

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Shaw Wines Merlot 2017

Shaw Wines Merlot 2017

  08:30    Stu.

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Consistent profile from that which I recall last year, the tobacco perhaps a touch more prominent.

Juicy blackcurrant fruit sitting over the top of that and flowing through the core of the wine. 

Smooth, medium bodied, purity of fruit with a fine touch of tannin. Slight spike of warmth toward the back palate, perhaps a showing of its 14%, yet for that it feels in balance to that glass-like purity of fruit. 92 

Tasted on: Wednesday 8th April 
Source: Sample
Price: $28 
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://shawwines.com.au/

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Shaw Vineyard Estate Riesling 2019

Shaw Vineyard Estate Riesling 2019

  16:30    Stu.

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Green apple, hints of bath salt; fragrant and floral - pleasant aromatics before a cool acidic thrust on the palate.

Lemon sherbet acidity dazzles across the palate, veers toward a little orange and tropicals to add further presence and appeal. A release of generosity and appeal. 92 

Tasted on: Friday 3rd April
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 11%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://shawwines.com.au/

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Shaw Vineyard Estate Sparkling Cuvée 2018

Shaw Vineyard Estate Sparkling Cuvée 2018

  16:00    Stu.

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Quince, stonefruit, custard apple in the mix too. Soft aromatics. 

Citrus generosity, akin to lemon sherbet; lively and fruity across the palate. Finesse it may be lacking, but frivolity is where it's at. At once it both slakes a thirst and enlivens the palate, a great aperitif style. 87

Tasted on: Tuesday 3rd December, a Root to Flower day 
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 12%
Closure: Cork
Website: https://shawwines.com.au/

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Shaw Estate Reserve Semillon 2019

Shaw Estate Reserve Semillon 2019

  08:30    Stu.

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A bright and nigh floral opening, lime, passionfruit and guava tropicals, hints of bath salt. 

The palate possesses both a depth of flavour and a zesty liveliness by virtue of a minerally tingle across the palate. Not without a probing line of citrus acidity, it also concludes with a resurgence of that tropical accented fruit.

A wine of many parts and paths, divergent, and yet bring it all together for the whole to be greater than the sum of its parts. 92 

Tasted on: Tuesday 3rd December, a Root to Flower day 
Source: Sample
Price: $40
Alcohol: 11.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://shawwines.com.au/

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Shaw Vineyard Estate Winemakers Selection 2017

Shaw Vineyard Estate Winemakers Selection 2017

  12:30    Stu.

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An attractive and succulent, go now style of Shiraz from Shaw in Canberra District. It's redolent of a blue and black fruit mix of blueberry, mulberry and a suggestion of plum. 

Specifics perhaps don't matter, rather it's more about the approachable fruit forward manner with a smattering of oak. Fine tannin, medium bodied to its core. Fruit on the periphery and a moderate finish. 

I'd happily drink this at $20 til the cows come home. And then perhaps enjoy with a Cheeky midweek steak. 89 

Tasted on: Wednesday 21st August, a Leaf to Fruit day 
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://shawwines.com.au

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Andevine Reserve Canberra District Syrah 2017

Andevine Reserve Canberra District Syrah 2017

  08:30    Stu.

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Winemaker Andrew Leembruggen: "For the last 5 years I have taken all of the fruit from this vineyard, and this wine is the third Reserve Syrah release for me. The “Caruluma” vineyard is divided into three blocks and this wine is from the lowest yielding block on the top of the hill. "

From the cool of Murrumbateman, exhibiting bright and vibrant fruit character from the get go. It's inviting, alluring. Great start. 

It's presence continues on the palate, the initial burst of fruit soon gives way to a classy tannin structure. It's that juxtaposition of fruit, tannin, yet with cool climate savoury nuances that make this quite a compelling drinking proposition. 94 

Tasted on: Wednesday 31st July, a Flower to Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $60
Alcohol: 14.2%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.andevinewines.com.au

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Shaw Vineyard Estate Shiraz 2015

Shaw Vineyard Estate Shiraz 2015

  17:30    Stu.

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Vibrant and perfumed wine, of succulent raspberry and Plummy fruit with a smattering of oak in support. A fine release on initial approach. 

A generous wine, of fine frame, fruit shining on the palate still. There's a peppery meets eucalypt aspect, adds a freshness and delivers length. 

Just a nicely weighted, medium-bodied wine that is in fine form at this present time. Has the fruit and presence to suggest it will last a good while yet. 92 

Tasted on: Thursday 9th May, a Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $34
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://shawwines.com.au

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Shaw Vineyard Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

Shaw Vineyard Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

  14:00    Stu.

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Jeez, I doubt this could be any more varietal if it tried! The Cabernet is strong in this one. 

Just exudes and emanates Cabernosity (it's not a word, I made it up) from the get go. All cedar, bay, bit of tomato bush in the mix. Smidge of sawdusty oak to book. It invites, lures, reels you back for more - in short, it's a bit of an aromatic ripper! 

Black fruit, cassis specifically, smooth with a eucalypt tang. It's all in check, an acidic fresh and at you finish, fine tannin on the profile. Happy to go here any time. 93 

Tasted on: Thursday 16th May, a Root to Flower day 
Source: Sample
Price: $32
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://shawwines.com.au

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Shaw Estate Riesling 2018

Shaw Estate Riesling 2018

  19:03    Stu.

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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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Shaw Vineyard Estate Winemakers Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

Shaw Vineyard Estate Winemakers Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

  08:44    Stu.

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Bright and vibrant intro, all blue fruit and leaf at its heart. There's a drying, dusty element sitting, lurking in the background.

Smoothly medium bodied. The palate is a little off, the silken body somewhat offsetting it. Lacking a little in flavour - particularly compared to the intro. Reasonable, given the ask 87 

Tasted on: Friday 12th October 
Source: Sample
Price: $18
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://shawvineyards.com.au

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Shaw Vineyard Estate Merriman Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

Shaw Vineyard Estate Merriman Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

  14:30    Stu.

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Sensuous, mint patty, violets and cassis. Cedary hints in the mix, inviting and seductive 

Soft, supple palate on entry - shifts a gear to something richer, in part fuller - certainly generosity in length and substance. 

It's a mix of sweet accented fruit, oak and the inherent savoury elements of the Cabernet. They're still jostling for position at this early juncture, for it's one for the long haul. An impressive release. 94

Tasted on: Saturday 1st September, a Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $65
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://shawvineyards.com.au/

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Shaw Vineyard Estate Merlot 2014

Shaw Vineyard Estate Merlot 2014

  14:30    Stu.

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Merlot in Australia can show its true colours and intent just on aroma alone, in my less than humble. 

Here: Olive skin, a hint of tobacco and - somewhat unusually - cocoa/coffee grounds. 

Medium bodied, freshening acidity and fine tannin. Well made Merlot, all too rare in Australia - but that position is improving as winemaker's get a handle on the variety and clonal selection gets better. 

Hints of oak reveal a hand. A pleasurable and enjoyable drink 90

Tasted on: Friday 31st August, a Leaf to Fruit day 
Source: Sample
Price: $28
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screw
Website: https://shawvineyards.com.au/

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Shaw Vineyard Estate Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2015

Shaw Vineyard Estate Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2015

  14:30    Stu.

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Found an overlooked stash of samples in the downstairs fridge. Poor logistics, no-one but myself to blame here.

Sem/ Sauv here with a few years on it. Aromatically it's all lemon/lime citrus, veering toward a pineapple and honeyed note.

Palate wise, there remains a tension between acid and fruit, against a chalky texture that pulls things up a little short. 86.

Tasted on: Tuesday 17th July, a Fruit to Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $22
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: shawvineyards.com.au

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Shaw Vineyard Estate Winemaker's Selection Riesling 2017

Shaw Vineyard Estate Winemaker's Selection Riesling 2017

  17:26    Stu.

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Affordable and approachable Riesling from Canberra District's Shaw Vineyard Estate. Has a fancy new livery on the range, freshened up and also to distinguish it further from the Estate range a rung up the ladder.

Opens with apple blossom florals, lime; peppery flecks in the mix too.

Light, limey tang - rather than full acid assault - has the sense of being rather more rounded in the palate, not the linear, razor-sharp Rieslings that we can find in, say, the Eden Valley.

Gentle play of flavour that slowly ebbs, not so much the flow. Pleasant experience.89 

Tasted on: Sunday 18th February, a Flower to Root day 
Source: Sample
Price: $18
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.shawvineyards.com.au/

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Shaw Vineyard Estate Riesling 2017

Shaw Vineyard Estate Riesling 2017

  19:47    Stu.

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Hints of lime, lime leaf. Background hints that are somewhat more fruitsome: blackcurrant leaf, possibly passionfruit. 

Good punch of flavour and persistence of acid. It's all about the lime and little else. The juice working in tandem to deliver a Refreshing wine - if a little linear. 90 

Tasted on: Saturday 28th October, a Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.shawvineyards.com.au/

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Shaw Vineyard Estate Shiraz 2014

Shaw Vineyard Estate Shiraz 2014

  12:39    Stu.

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Looks a bit like this,
but more 2014ey

Canberran Shiraz often imparts this peanut husk/ nutty lead for me, an aroma that sits over the top of dusky, cool fruit. No exception, the savoury adding a foil to the fruit, a little mintiness almost like a seasoning. 

Doesn't quite back it up through the middle. A little bitterness, flash of acidity, an altogether meatier guise here. Feels a bit arms and legs at this stage, I want it to settle. Good drinking, mind. 90

Tasted on: Wednesday 23rd August, a Fruit day

Source: Sample
Price: $34
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.shawvineyards.com.au/

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Shaw Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Shaw Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

  14:30    Stu.

---

Bit of mint, leaf, blackcurrant. Very fresh, youthful - interesting for a 4 year old. 

Medium bodied, vibrant, fresh. Not much of substance, more about fruit. Gummy flavours.

Fairly short - bit like this note - on length, but good fun. 88 

Tasted on: Sunday 23rd April, a Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $18
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website:

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Shaw Vineyard Estate Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2016

Shaw Vineyard Estate Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2016

  08:30    Stu.

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Blend of two: 85% Semillon, 15% Sauvignon Blanc.

Lime, lemongrass, freshness personified. Buttery menthol.

Passionfruit, touch of blackcurrant leaf, citrus; fresh, rounded, touch of zest and mineral. Little truncated bitterness at the back end, a minor distraction from an otherwise decent package. 89  

Tasted on: Friday 14th April, a Flower to Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $18
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.shawvineyards.com.au/

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Shaw Vineyard Estate Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2015

Shaw Vineyard Estate Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2015

  16:30    Stu.

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Post tasting formalities, this was fair demolished round our way. Whilst my formal 'critique' doesn't rate this as a classically good wine, consumption of it spoke otherwise and just goes to show that a rating does not necessarily equate to drinkability.

Citrus and some guava-esque fleshy tropicals. 

Somewhat faint in its flavour profile, yet it offers great refreshment in a dilute lemon cordial manner. Has a little herbal twang towards its back end and it doesn't quite carry the flavour. 

Good going served fridge cold as something of an aperitif. 86 

Tasted on: Monday 28th November, a Flower to Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $16
Alcohol: 12%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.shawvineyards.com.au/

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