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Showing posts with label Coonawarra. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Coonawarra. Show all posts

Monday, 26 June 2023

Yalumba The Cigar 2019


A delightful, dense black fruited mass is what greets you here. Suggestive oak lurks furtively, framing not dominating.

The palate shows a lick of black licorice, a slick and glossy feel shows it gliding across the palate. It feels composed, graceful in how it presents itself - yet not without some gruff tannins, somewhat acting as a counterpoint to how it presents otherwise.

Generous length. Go the years here easily. Drink now to 2032 92

Tasted on: Thursday 22nd June
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: yalumba.com

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Friday, 11 June 2021

Geoff Merrill Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2013


A blend of McLaren Vale (53%) and Coonawarra (47%) fruit.

Released with the age on it, still retaining an element of youth, vigour and freshness.

Plummy, damson, blackcurrant notes on the nose. The palate conveying an acidic freshness, tannin is firm and somewhat robust still now. Gives a firmness and provides length and depth of flavour.

Somewhat older school in its presentation, an observation - nothing more. Matched this a medium reverse seared rib fillet on the bone, the tannin/protein match-up a perfect pairing to highlight the depth and even of a touch of char in the oak.

In the zone now, yet still with plenty ahead of it. Bottle August 2017 after a whopping 36m in a mix of French and American oak. 94

Tasted on: Saturday 5th June
Source: Sample
Price: $50
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.geoffmerrillwines.com.au/

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Wednesday, 29 April 2020

Taylor's Jaraman Cabernet Sauvignon 2017


I do like Clare Valley Cabernet - here married to that from Coonawarra - it seems to consistently present in a brighter manifestation. There's hints of gum leaf in the mix too. Altogether it adds up to a bright and somewhat more fruity representation.

The palate shows silken tannins that cascade across the palate, hints of choc-mint bring with them blue and black fruits in an effortless flow. This would win many fans. Good to go now, and rewarding short term cellaring up to 2027. 92 

Tasted on: Sunday 5th April
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.taylorswines.com.au/

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Tuesday, 14 January 2020

Katnook Estate Chardonnay 2018


Delightful, invitational mix; of ripe stonefruit, melon and vanilla oak, the latter framing things up nicely. Moderate palate, nicely balanced mix of the oak, adding some bite and spice; suggestion of phenolics, textural spread and a creamy aspect.

Decent length, perhaps just missing a little extra drive and verve. 90 

Tasted on: Saturday 9th November, a Leaf day 
Source: Sample
Price: $29
Alcohol:
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.katnookestate.com.au/

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Wednesday, 31 July 2019

Katnook Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2016


I didn't necessarily pick this as a Coonawarra wine at initial sight. It's subtle, yet rich with ripe black fruit, in the blackcurrant/cassis mould.

I suppose what I mean by that regional ignorance is a lack of distinct eucalypt, which I guess is often what leads the way for that regional/variety construct. 

That fruit profile flows through the palate, the grainy tannin profile and freshening acidity perhaps more of a regional marker. Needs a little time to gel, to pull together. It'll get there.92 

Tasted on: Tuesday 25th June, a Flower to Leaf day 
Source: Sample
Price: $40
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.katnookestate.com.au

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Saturday, 27 July 2019

George The Wizard Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2016


Offers tantalising glimpses, yet doesn't quite deliver with conviction. 

Tannin structure delivers in spades, but perhaps that may be the wine's issue in that the palate seems awash with fine grained tannin, at the expensive of flavour. 

Aromatically it, again to emphasis, offers a glimpse of that choc-mint-cedar profile that a regional/varietal combo should offer. 


Fruit glimpses in that blackcurrant/cassis mould, but it never seems to shift out of second gear. Nothing to truly criticise for, just expecting more to propel it into good to great territory. 88 

Tasted on: Thursday 6th June, a Flower to Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $24.99
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.iamgeorge.com.au

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Thursday, 25 July 2019

Highgate Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2017


Green, leafy, herbal - kinda reminds of dolmades (stuffed vine leaves) in aroma. 

Fine bodied, delicate, hints of blackcurrant - succulent in manner. There are herbal touches on the palate too. Perhaps not the greatest structure, good to go now. 89 

Tasted on: Wednesday 29th May, a Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Distributor Website: SingleVineyards.com

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Thursday, 30 May 2019

Brand's Laira Blockers Cabernet Sauvignon 2015


Chocolate and wafts of menthol. A rich and heavenly brew that veers toward rum 'n' raisin territory. 

Possesses a thick and chewy palate, certainly defined and purposeful, yet somewhat singular in its conviction. There are elements of the black fruit and oak inflections that make up the style. Solid. Blockers.  89

Tasted on: Saturday 27th October 
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.brandslaira.com

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Monday, 3 December 2018

Brand's Laira Blockers Chardonnay 2017


Cannot immediately recall too many Coonawarra Chardonnay across the bench. Perhaps Katnook and Hollick being those prompt some instant recall.

Here, Brand's Laira, part of the ever growing Casella stable, offers up a Chardonnay that's heavy set, oak and a creamy custard-vanilla frame dominate. 

The palate, chewy with remnants of citrusy acidity. Pulls a little short. Fair try. 86 

Tasted on: Friday 5th October 
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Srewcap
Website: www.brandslaira.com

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Wednesday, 28 November 2018

Rymill gt Gewürztraminer 2018


Exhibits all the hallmarks of Gewürztraminer, by way of the musk and rosewater. It's a lighter take mind, and no worse for it. 

A Minerally edge is really the defining aspect to the palate, faint musk and something like a lychee bent running through. Lightness being the watchword, a subtle take on the style, earlier picking to achieve that. 88 

Tasted on: Wednesday 3rd October 
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.rymill.com.au

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Thursday, 4 October 2018

Rymill The Yearling Rosé 2018


Berry, raspberry and cranberry in the main. There's a sweeter edge, perhaps like a little caramelisation.

Red fruit sweetness without being over-wrought. Powdery edge, as though brushed with talcum, provides a welcome aspect. 

Rather well, if perhaps simply, put together. Refreshing, pleasingly moreish. 88

Tasted on: Thursday 20th September
Source: Sample
Price: $15
Alcohol: 12.9%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.rymill.com.au

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Wednesday, 3 October 2018

Rymill The Yearling Sauvignon Blanc 2018


Zing combined with a little tropical shrill. Back palate loses a bit of shape before spreading on what can only be regarded as reasonable length. 

Up front it's a tropical riot over a herbal inflection: fennel tops, dill, perhaps a little creamy sage. It offers what Sauv does. And at $15 you'd be happy. 87 

Tasted on: Thursday 20th September
Source: Sample
Price: $15
Alcohol: 12.9%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.rymill.com.au

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Thursday, 13 September 2018

Rymill Cabernet 2015


Classic Cabernet aromatic profile. It's blackcurrant meets cedar and bay. Spot on aromatics that don't necessarily follow through to the palate, where it presents itself as firmer and more robust - drying - with coarser tannins. 


Needs some further time to mellow 89+

Tasted on: Saturday 1st September, a Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $32
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.rymill.com.au/

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Wednesday, 5 September 2018

Katnook Odyssey Cabernet Sauvignon 2013


The 2013 Odyssey was the last that legendary winemaker Wayne Stehbens ("Stebbo") oversaw from start to finish, before his untimely passing in 2017. Vale.

Reserved, more toast and char than what one might expect from Coonawarra Cabernet. 

The body is supple, at odds to what seems a stern and reserved intro, generous - almost creamy - body. Blackcurrant is a dominant character, with firm and quite compact tannin. 

It's certainly something for the long haul, feeling tightly coiled and needing to unfurl. It's length is not denied, just at this present juncture yields to no one. 92+ 

Tasted on: Saturday 25th August, a Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $110
Alcohol: 14.8%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.katnookestate.com.au

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Thursday, 9 August 2018

Rymill Shiraz 2015


Coonawarra is obviously better known for its Cabernet, then perhaps the Terra Rossa. Which comes first mind, in the hierarchy?

Dusty, dusky, Plum with oak remnants sitting around the core. 

More oak sitting prominently in the palate, swamps the fruit. Firm and forceful through the middle. Not one of finesse, it's rather stern. Smoky oak is really what leads here. 89 

Tasted on: Friday 3rd August, a Leaf to Fruit day 
Source: Sample
Price: $32
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.rymill.com.au/

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Wednesday, 18 July 2018

St Hugo Cabernet Sauvignon 2015


Deep, rich; tobacco leaf, coffee bean and mocha. Deep and heady concoction, certainly classy Cabernet, if not necessarily Coonawarra. 

Leaf, fine tickle of tannin across the palate. A lightness on entry, that balloons and somewhat grows in stature and presence. Violets, a mere suggestion of blackcurrant.

More savoury than fruity, classically structured. 92

Tasted on: Saturday 7th July, Leaf to Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $54.99
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.sthugo.com

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Thursday, 21 June 2018

Rymill The Dark Horse Shiraz 2016


There’s a sense of char here, pepper and black fruit sound the charge. It’s even a little leafy, dusty as it assaults the nasal cavity.

More of that pepper on show through the palate. Not the most defined shape. Tannin a little coarse, reasonable length about it 89

Tasted on: Saturday 9th June, a Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $23
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.rymill.com.au/

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Thursday, 19 April 2018

Katnook Estate Shiraz 2015


Not the first variety that springs to mind when you think of Coonawarra, but then Katnook have always seemed to have a handle on the variety.

Dried earth, meets cedary oak - comes across as dry and dusty, a little like the Coonawarra soils. 

Cassis/blackcurrant, hints of anise, smooth and creamy palate - definition and fine tannin. Good flavour penetration and persistence. 92 

Tasted on: Sunday 1st April, a Root to Flower day 
Source: Sample
Price: $40
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.katnookestate.com.au

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Saturday, 7 April 2018

Katnook Founder's Block Sauvignon Blanc 2017


There's no making mistaking the grape variety in this glass, it's all gooseberry and herb, subtle tropical inflections sit lingering in the background. 

Packs a punch on the palate with an intensity and focus: mineral tinged, acid flecked, supplemented by the topical fruit brought forward on waves of acidity. 90

Tasted on: Friday 6th April, a Leaf to Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $18
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.katnookestate.com.au

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Friday, 9 February 2018

Rymill The Yearling Cabernet Sauvignon 2015


Offers up what seems a joyful, somewhat playful nose. Hints at its varietal composition: cedary, cassis, and a little blackcurrant to tease the senses. Yes it doesn’t come across as the classiest individual, it’s $15 I ask ya!

Soft, pretty slurpy, some cedar/ piney notes come through - albeit somewhat harshly - on the palate, and die away again as soon as they arrived. It’s a pretty straight down the line affair. 

Good for a mid-week quaffer, nothing more. 86

Tasted on: Friday 26th May, a Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $15
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.rymill.com.au/

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