Pig in the House Chardonnay 2019

Pig in the House Chardonnay 2019

  16:00    Stu.

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Organic Chardonnay from Cowra in the Central Highlands of New South Wales. Pig in the House have been following organic farming practices for over ten years now.

Clean and inviting Chardonnay here, a mix of citrus and ripe stone fruit that express themselves in a pure manner, indeed that purity of expression is something the O’Dea’s (owners of the PitH business) seek to achieve with this range - so, to that end, oak influence is minimal.

Freshness across the palate, a nice wine of acidity to match the fruit presence. Subtle mineral hint - refreshment factor high. I tasted a dribble the following day, the wine holding up remarkably well, given the fresh-and-at-you-now style. 89 

Tasted on: Saturday 9th November, a Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.piginthehouse.com.au/

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Pig in the House Organic Rosé 2019

Pig in the House Organic Rosé 2019

  16:30    Stu.

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I was surprised to learn that this was the first release of a Rosé under the Pig in the House label, organic fruit of course.

Strawberry, rose petal, Turkish Delight. Musky hints, veering to savoury nuances on the palate. 

Drying, but long on flavour, the musk and savoury elements delivering on the length. Good Rosé. Enough about it to refresh, complex enough to interest. Solid. 91 

Tasted on: Tuesday 5th November, a Root to Flower day 
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://windowrie.com.au/

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Pig In the House Cabernet Shiraz 2018

Pig In the House Cabernet Shiraz 2018

  17:30    Stu.

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A fresh and elegant Cabernet Sauvignon based on aromatic profile. Chocolate meets blackcurrant, with a subtle herbal underlay. 

Lighter in take, that elegance is present on the palate too. Comes, perhaps, at the sacrifice of tannin and structure, certainly a wine for the present. Carries a subtle line, a delicate conclusion to am otherwise youthful and energetic drinking proposition. 90

Tasted on: Thursday 23rd May, a Fruit to Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.piginthehouse.com.au

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Pig In the House Shiraz 2018

Pig In the House Shiraz 2018

  08:30    Stu.

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Plum, blueberry and violets over a darker core. There's a modicum of oak in support, vanilla providing an elegant lift. 

It's proposition is that of an elegant wine - initially light on its toes - segueing to something more full bodied that certainly pulls no punches. 

There's a candied violet aspect to the wine's finish, where again it does manifest itself with finesse on the back of a good length. 90

Tasted on: Sunday 12th May, a Leaf to Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.piginthehouse.com.au

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Windowrie Family Reserve Chardonnay 2017

Windowrie Family Reserve Chardonnay 2017

  12:30    Stu.

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Cool climate Chardonnay from the Cowra region here. It's a beautiful balance of peach stonefruit, lime citrus and flinty hints. 

The oak and gentle complexity aid length, ebbing along toward a conclusion. Unhurried, unforced, elegant. 91

Tasted on: Sunday 17th March, a Flower to Leaf day 
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.windowrie.com.au/

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Windowrie Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

Windowrie Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

  08:30    Stu.

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Shy, reserved, certainly not forthcoming on initial approach. Slowly, as if reticent to do so, it starts to reveal itself. Biscuity oak and dark chocolate.

Deep, rich palate - a riot of deep purple and red fruit. Lacks some definition and finesse, feeling its higher alcohol, though I must state it's not the high octane or boozy that can afflict. 

Fine tannin and spice on a lingering finish. 89

Tasted on: Tuesday 5th September, a Root to Flower day 
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 14.6%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.windowrie.com.au/

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Pig in the House Chardonnay 2017

Pig in the House Chardonnay 2017

  08:30    Stu.

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Pretty pure Chardonnay on offer here, less of the artifice, more of the varietal expression. It’s all about stone fruit singing and humming its tune, supplemented with a suggestion of limey citrus.

Clean, classic lines on the palate too. There’s a little spice that provides a gentle tickle across the palate line, acid as a guide through to the finish.

It’s pleasant, on the back of a good length. 89 

Tasted on: Sunday 11th March, a Fruit day 
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.piginthehouse.com.au/

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Windowrie The Mill Chardonnay 2016

Windowrie The Mill Chardonnay 2016

  12:30    Stu.

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Stonefruit and kernel imbued with a subtle citrus and seasoning from some time under wood. 

More of the same on the palate, a pronounced acidity that gives some drive and a little substance. It does feel like it's wanting for more, yet its freshness gives it some resolve and the palate some relief. 

Good tang to it and its conclusion. 88 

Tasted on: Saturday 22nd July, a Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 12.8%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.windowrie.com.au

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Pig in the House Shiraz 2016

Pig in the House Shiraz 2016

  08:30    Stu.

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Smells every inch its youthful, primary self. Berry driven, hints of spice, I might even suggest it comes off of sandy soil - I could be wrong, it sometimes happens - it just has that very expressive nature I often see in sandy sites. 

More of the same on the palate. It delivers a fair mouthful of flavour that's persistent in nature. Touches of tannin, aniseed even. Goes well. 89

Tasted on: Monday 28th November, a Flower to Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 14.6%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.piginthehouse.com.au/

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Windowrie The Mill Shiraz 2015

Windowrie The Mill Shiraz 2015

  14:30    Stu.

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Won top gong at the NSW Wine Awards.

Cloven spice, herbal, fresh and fragrant. Smells at once both serious, yet also playful and inviting. 

Mid-weight, more of the herb and spice laid out across the palate. The spice if anything, builds further. Some drying tanning provides extra carriage to this. 

Great value. Pretty serious given the pricepoint. 92 

Tasted on: Sunday 27th November, a Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.windowrie.com.au/

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Pig in the House Sauvignon Blanc 2015

Pig in the House Sauvignon Blanc 2015

  08:30    Stu.

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Organic Sauvignon Blanc from Cowra (better known as the site of a PoW camp in WWII, from which there was a mass breakout - a little bit of Aussie military history for you there) in New South Wales.

There's a stand of lantana at the local markets i attend of a Sunday, this wine is somehwat redolent of that. Backed up with a little lime and nettle, it's entirely displeasing.

The palate carries capsicum, herb and a little green tomato. A touch of back palate bitterness is a nice counter to sharp acidity. Works well, balanced. 89

Tasted on: Saturday 26th November
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.piginthehouse.com.au/

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Pigs in the House Organic Shiraz 2014

Pigs in the House Organic Shiraz 2014

  13:44    Stu.

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Plum, a little pepper - leading spice - sweeter edges.

Well balanced wine with inherent savoury elements of earth, pepper against natural fruit sweetness. A little bitter tea tannin on the back palate. Decent wine. 90 

Tasted on: Thursday 7th April: a Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $24
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.piginthehouse.com.au/

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Windowrie The Mill Chardonnay 2014

Windowrie The Mill Chardonnay 2014

  14:42    Stu.

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This is extraordinary value at the members price of $12.54 per bottle and still fair drinking at a dollar under twenty. 

A lovely pale straw on the pour. Stonefruit, a little green melon, residual oak via a little creamy cashew - augments the fruit on intro.

Clean entry, stonefruit again flowing through. Light, balanced, delicate pitch of acid - followed up by spice and residual oak.

Solid Chardonnay at the price. 88

Tasted on: Sunday 19th April, a Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $17.99
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.windowrie.com.au/

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Cooks Lot Lot #589 Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2013

Cooks Lot Lot #589 Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2013

  21:58    Stu.

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I've been impressed by the wines from Cooks Lot and this is no exception. A little slow out of the blocks initially then, unfurling like a bud at Spring, we get the fresh aromatics of the constituent parts. 

Grapefruit, hints of tropicals, melon. To me it showed a touch of texture, quite possibly just a marked improvement in quality with this wine in comparison to others tasted in the bracket. Finishes with a touch of phenolics, a bit of grip, good length. 90 - Good

Tasted on: Saturday 10th August, a Fruit Day
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.cookslot.com.au/

Follow me: http://twitter.com/TheVinsomniac

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