Yangarra Noir 2019

Yangarra Noir 2019

  08:30    Stu.

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Grenache, 62%; Mourvedre, 12%; Shiraz, 15%; Carignan, 6%; Cinsault, 3%; Carignan, 6%.

A true Southern Rhone blend beyond the usual suspects of Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvedre; each component handled separately, prior to final assemblage. 

Smells a touch rooty on opening, again I stress there's no bunch component, yet 50% whole berry. 

It's light, slick and racy across the palate - a juiciness that cannot be escaped and fails not to freshen. A light rub of tannin, gentle maceration ensuring a fine extraction and delivering length. 

No artifice, all expression of fine fruit and the winemaker's craft. 92

Tasted on: Thursday 10th September
Source: Sample
Price: $27
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.yangarra.com/

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Yelland and Papps Vin de Soif 2017

Yelland and Papps Vin de Soif 2017

  08:30    Stu.

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It seems there's been a subtle shift in the release strategy of Yelland & Papp's Vin de Soif. From previous reviews (notes here) it was typically released some 18 months post-harvest, now something approaching three years. Observation, nothing more.

The blend, being Grenache, Mataro and Carignan, is consitent. The wine itself opens with the fresh, less-is-more, allure of bright, fresh and crunchy Grenache derived red fruit. 

Light, open and airy on initial taste, giving way to depth - there's approimately 38% whole bunch used - and crunch on the palate. Jeez, it's been a while between drinks for myself and the 'Soif', yet the thirst remains strong.

This wine is a testament to the quality of fruit and winemaking, freshness personified, released as a 3yo you'd easily be forgiven thinking it a fresh, nouveau style 2020 release. Impressive. 92

Tasted on: Thursday 25th June 

Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 13.9%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://yellandandpapps.com/

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Brash Higgins MCC 2017

Brash Higgins MCC 2017

  14:16    Stu.

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A blend of Mataro (50%, all whole bunch), Cinsault (30%, all whole bunch), and Carignan (20%, whole berry).

Deliciously light, airy - it comes across herbal, tomato leaf, juicy in feel and offer. Light and lithe, fine and filigree tannin without so much substance. Aspects of cherry and plum add to the overall package. 

Light and crunchy, airy in feel. Good midweek option clocking in at a mere 12.5%. 89 

Tasted on: Wednesday 11th September, a Root day 
Source: Winery Purchase
Price: $30
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.brashhiggins.com

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Hither & Yon Rosato 2018

Hither & Yon Rosato 2018

  08:30    Stu.

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Essentially made in two batches, the Muscat Rouge and Carignan, then the remainder. It's a right old blend, being: Carignan 35%, Muscat Rouge 33%, Nero d'Avola 15%, Grenache 9%, and Touriga 8%.

Subtle Berry aromatics, hint of musk. Dry, phenolic almost powdery edges, yet crisp and long on a citrus acidity. Delivers long, shifts a little, second pour settling into itself. 90 

Tasted on: Saturday 20th July, a Flower day
Source: Retail
Price: $20
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.hitherandyon.com.au/

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Yelland & Papps Vin de Soif 2016

Yelland & Papps Vin de Soif 2016

  14:30    Stu.

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A blend of Grenache/ Mataro/ Carignan on this one.

Soif by name,
Soif by nature

A wee touch of the lift here, sitting over the Grenache that leads the charge on this year's 'Soif'. Macerated strawberry, herbal twists and tinges and perhaps a little cream of tomato soup (oddly).

Good level of spice on the palate, gives more of a savoury intent over the inherent fruit that sits beneath. Nice play of tannin, the elements combining together to more than deliver on the name. There's a deft touch that the Y&P crew exhibit, and this wine is no exception. 91

Tasted on: Tuesday 5th September
Source: Sample
Price: $
Alcohol: 13.6%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://yellandandpapps.com/

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Hither & Yon Rosé 2017

Hither & Yon Rosé 2017

  08:00    Stu.

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1st September is release day for this offering. Pouring a very pale pink, just kissed with a hint of colour.

Musky hints give lie to what's within. You could have me fooled into thinking this has a touch of Gewurz, the muskiness bordering on that grape. Except here Muscat (56%) has been used to good effect with unusual stable mate Carignan (44%)

An initial hit of sweetness, lures and leads, minerally and dry. This will be sure to arrest a thirst on a warm summer's day. 

Berries, a bit of Turkish Delight, spice to tickle and a chalky touch that offers something more than your average fruit-bomb. Another great follow-up by the H&Y crew. 92 

Tasted on: Sunday 20th August, a Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.hitherandyon.com.au/

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Yelland & Papps Vin de Soif 2014

Yelland & Papps Vin de Soif 2014

  18:59    Stu.

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A blend of Grenache/ Mataro/ Carignan (75/17/9% respectively). For the first time the blend eschews Barossa stalwart Shiraz. Fermented in old French and American 18 months, the usual wild ferment, unfined and unfiltered.

Grenache leads with its pronounced red berry aromatics. Some herbal seasoning, a little cracked pepper - but really it's the sensuous red fruit that reels you in. 

Medium bodied personified: it's light, almost fragile, tart red fruit provides a lift, a hit of refreshment, the kind to slake a thirst. Very soif!

There's some length too, a little interplay - a footballers' one-two - between sweet and savoury elements on the back seat. Just reels you in. Dangerous territory. 90

Tasted on: Monday 23rd May: Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 13.9%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://yellandandpapps.com/

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Yelland and Papps Vin de Soif 2013

Yelland and Papps Vin de Soif 2013

  20:19    Stu.

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This is the third consecutive release of Yelland and Papps' Vin de Soif' (literally: 'thirst for wine') - previous vintages reviewed here. The blend may be tweaked somewhat in each vintage - in this guise its a mix of Grenache, Mataro and Carignan - but for this scribe, the intent doesn't.

Florals, musky - approaching the funk of fermented charcuterie - a little spice and dark fruit. Licorice twists, crunch of texture, meat and spice. For me, this is the kind of wine where the less said is often the better. 

Yes, I could reel of shopping lists of descriptors, but the thing that always draws me back to this wine is its inherent drinkable - its 'soifness' if you like. Such easy drinking pleasure, so more-ish, does what it says in the tin. 90

Tasted on: 21st May, a Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://yellandandpapps.com/

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Domaine Tempier Bandol Rosé 2013

Domaine Tempier Bandol Rosé 2013

  07:48    Stu.

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Mataro dominant blend, with Grenache, Cinsualt and Carignan (50/28/20/2% respectively).

Berry fruits, citrus - savoury, woody and herbal twists; of scrub, garrigue, the sun beating down onto a Mediterranean twinkling its azure blue wink; of oligarchs and molls, yachts bobbing on the waves, draining this by the case.

Strawberry, rhubarb, hints of citrus; spice, a little coriander seed, a touch wild. Dry, tart, savoury, latent cranberry - summer in a glass. Effortless, so good. 93

Tasted on: Saturday 7th March, a Fruit to Root day
Source: Retail, Cru Bar & Cellar
Price: $45-50
Alcohol: 
Closure: Cork
Website: http://domainetempier.com/

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Yelland & Papps Vin de Soif 2012

Yelland & Papps Vin de Soif 2012

  12:41    Stu.

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I've been re-reading Alice Feiring's 'Naked Wine', in which she mentions that: "Vins de Soifare thirst quenchers, and some of us feel that the leave terroir behind...". There's room for both the thirst quenchers, and those wines of place, a point Ms Feiring does concede. I think we - whoever we are - often get too hung up on certain philosophical points, just see this wine for what it is...bloody smashable.

A blend of 65% Grenache, 27% Mataro, 5% Shiraz & 3% Carignan, deepish garnet in hue. Initially meaty on opening, dissipates to reveal a mash of brambly black forest fruits.

Posesses that easy going, juicy vibrancy - acid is a little perky, adds to freshness. Shows a touch of citrus on the back end - hauls you back in for more. Shows the faintest rub of tannin, of moderate length, but ticks the 'soif' box in a big way. 88

Tasted on: Saturday 30th November, a Flower Day
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.yellandandpapps.com

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House of Morande 2006

House of Morande 2006

  09:23    Stu.

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From the Maipo valley, near to Chile's capital Santiago. Takes its influence from Bordeaux, both in terms of composition (73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Cabernet Franc and 9% Carignan - ignore the Carignan component for the purpose of this note, it is not permitted in Bordeaux) and vinification. Low-yielding in the region of 1KG per vine, sees an extended maceration of up to 5 weeks, 18 months in barrel and then 2 months in bottle unfiltered.

Can you smell elegance? Refined on approach, quite delicate - elegant if I am permitted to say - has settled with 7 years on it. Cedary, hints of bay, a little black fruit and a savoury twist of anise. Fades quickly mind, aromas taking a back seat.

Medium bodied, integrated and savoury. Residual oak slides into the body of the wine. Acid is stil noticeable and provides a little freshness; anise and black fruit present here also, the two working in tandem across the palate.

Tanin is ultra-fine, elegant, sustained - length is exemplary and memorable. I'd be quite happy drinking Cabernet like this all of the time - and time is what this example has. My only quibble here - and hence preventing a higher 'score' - is where it will go. Structurally it holds up brilliantly, just some wonder about fading aromatics. Maybe just a point in its development? 92+ - Very Good

Tasted on: Sunday 4th August, a Flower Day
Source: Gift
Price: $?
Alcohol: 14.1%
Closure: Cork
Website: http://www.morande.cl/

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Yelland & Papps 'Vin de Soif' 2011

Yelland & Papps 'Vin de Soif' 2011

  21:35    Stu.

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Vin de Soif literally means a 'thirst quenching wine', and this example from Barossan producer Yelland & Papps is appropriately named.  Not complex, nor is it intended to be.  It shows soft, juicy, bubblegum character on the palate, with hints of fruit sweetness.  Squarely medium bodied, juice laden and ultimately dry. 

Aromatically it contrasts with the palate, with woody hints, clove spice, briar and hedgerow.  Thoroughly smashable - if one can say such a thing these days without incurring the wrath of the health-police.  89 - Good 

Tasted on: Sunday 30th September, a Leaf Day
Source: Sample
Price: $19.95
Alcohol:14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://yellandandpapps.com/

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Domaine La Sarabande Faugéres 2010

Domaine La Sarabande Faugéres 2010

  12:37    Stu.

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Faugéres is an AOC in the Languedoc appellation, in France's South West corner, inland and roughly equidistant between Montpellier and Carcassone.  The majority of its 2,100 hectares are at relative altitude (often greater than 250m/ 800 feet) and planted on Schist rock - excellent for moisture and heat retention, indeed winemakers in the region say that ripening occurs overnight.

A review of the 2009 of this wine over at Dave Brookes' excellent Vinofreakism piqued my interest in the wine.  Turns out it's made by an Aussie - Paul Gordon and his wife Isla.  Big props to Smashing Bottles for importing it and to the Wine Experience for stocking it.

Pronounced red fruit aromatics from the Grenache: distinct cherry, moving towards plum.  New world it certainly isn't, there's a lovely savoury herbal edge to the wine with a nod to a charcuterie plate.  The palate has this lovely fulsomeness to it - entry is smooth - some structure from the Syrah.  The savoury edge is carried through the core of the wine: earthen, forest floor a hint of mushroom.  Damn fine finish, of good length.  91 - Very Good

Source: Retail, The Wine Experience

Price: $38

Alcohol: 14%

Closure: DIAM

Website: http://www.sarabandewines.com/

Importer: http://www.smashingbottles.com.au/

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[This blog was edited at 07:35 on  12/02/2012 to reflect that Faugéres is an AOC within the Languedoc appellation]

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