Break Free Petite Blancs 2022

Break Free Petite Blancs 2022

  08:22    Stu.

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Swan Valley Chenin Blanc with Margaret River Chardonnay and Frankland River Gewurztraminer.

Unfiltered, giving it a Barley water-esque haze - something I don't mind in a wine, but shits me no end in a beer.

Plenty of interest mind: musky aromatics, pear juice dribbling across the palate, creamy almond in the mix too.

There's a creamy mid-palate with spikes of acidity. Certainly not your run of the mill white and all the more interesting for it. The sum of the parts and all that. 

Tasted on: Thursday 9th February
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 12%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://clandestinevineyards.com.au/

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Edenflo Quincy J 2020

Edenflo Quincy J 2020

  08:30    Stu.

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A delicious skinsy blend of Eden Valley Gewürz, Riesling and Viognier.

Eden Flo is Andrew Wardlaw and sidekick (dog) Quincy Jones. Andrew was at pains to express how to best sample his wines - attention to detail a boon - advising to avoid excess cold and allow time and air for fuller expression. 

Pouring a somewhat hedonistic golden colour, and immediately redolent of florals, Quince and stewed apple. 

The palate conveyed an immediate nuttiness, followed by lavish texture and generous spiced nuance across the finish. 

Respecting the winemaker's wishes, after 24 hours the skinsy, Quincey vibe is more pronounced on the nose. Across the palate, ginger is pulled forward and caressed by quite a lavish textural throw. The spice is really quite prominent now, seemingly adding to the sustain of the wine's finish. 

A rather exquisite wine of detail, texture and interest. 94

Tasted on: Sunday 31st January 
Source: Sample
Price: $33
Alcohol: 
Closure: Cork
Website: https://edenflowines.com.au/

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Harewood Estate Flux VII Pinot Gris Gewürz Riesling 2018

Harewood Estate Flux VII Pinot Gris Gewürz Riesling 2018

  16:30    Stu.

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A trio of Alsatian stalwarts, here growing alongside each other in Great Southern's Frankland River. It's comprised of Pinot Gris (60%), Gewurztraminer (30%) and Riesling (10%). 

Certainly an interesting blend. The muskiness of the Gewürz is immediately evident, and flows through to the palate, lending a lively and almost spritz-like bent to things.

The palate has a fine spine of acid, about which hangs a gentle textural play. Gentle is the right word, softly ebbing along to its conclusion. 92 

Tasted on: Friday 31st July 
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://harewood.com.au/

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La Violetta Ü Röck Döts 2018

La Violetta Ü Röck Döts 2018

  16:30    Stu.

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A blend of Gewürztraminer, Riesling and Grauburgunder. 

Rosewater and muskiness of the Gewürz leads, and certainly flows through to the palate too. I specifically chose this to match the heat of some fresh chilli in a Thai Curry - boy is it more than up for the task! 

Even with what feels like lavish texture with the extra sugar, there's still a finesse and a mineral quality across the palate. It's co-fermented in large format oak, I'd suggest that further aids texture and body, and coupled with quality fruit gives driving length. 

Bloody good wine, even better pairing for the bird's eyes liberally applied. 94 

Tasted on: Wednesday 24th June 
Source: Retail
Price: $44
Alcohol: 12%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://laviolettawines.com.au/

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Robert Stein Farm Series SRG 2018

Robert Stein Farm Series SRG 2018

  17:30    Stu.

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Unusual white blend from a very aromatic trio. Unsurprisingly it leads with a citrus component, there's an element of muskiness in the frame, too. 

Clocking in at a mere 10% alcohol, it's more akin to something like a frizzante wine, a light spritz combined with some retained sugars gives both a minerally liveliness and textural weight and width from the sweetness. 

Nice lighter take. 89 

Tasted on: Monday 27th May, a Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $18
Alcohol: 10%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://robertstein.com.au

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Rymill gt Gewürztraminer 2018

Rymill gt Gewürztraminer 2018

  11:30    Stu.

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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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Edenflo Old Vine Riesling Gewürztraminer 2018

Edenflo Old Vine Riesling Gewürztraminer 2018

  14:30    Stu.

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A harmonious blend of Riesling (67%, 80yo vines) and Gewürztraminer (33%, 20yo old vines) from the Eden Valley.

Faint lime, steely hints, both soon yielding to softer elements of rose hip, florals. 

Has the pucker and presence of the Riesling, softened and rounded out with Gewürztraminer. Well worked, a gentle and chalky phenolic edge adds presence to a generous and tart body. 

Presence, penetration and persistence could be the watchwords here. Lapped this up out of the bottle, yet equally has plenty about it to work well with food. 93  

Tasted on: Saturday 25th August, a Root day 
Source: Sample
Price: $26
Alcohol: 11%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: TBC

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Toppers Mountain Bricolage Blanc 2015

Toppers Mountain Bricolage Blanc 2015

  14:30    Stu.

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A blend of Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Petit Manseng, Sauvignon Blanc.

A little muskiness, Nashi pear, beurre bosc, citrus nuances, golden notes, suggestion of thyme, perhaps, the Gewürztraminer leading this one. 

Marries texture to acidity, flesh and bones. Stonefruit, more pear and citrus. Good presence about it, perhaps you'd say complex - with an inviting simplicity. Good wine, if perhaps the driving length and composure to make it great. 90

Tasted on: Wednesday 7th March, a Flower to Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://toppers.com.au/

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Robert Stein SRG Semillon Riesling Gewürztraminer 2017

Robert Stein SRG Semillon Riesling Gewürztraminer 2017

  14:30    Stu.

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Interesting wine this, and I must say I do like the cut of this winery's gib. Regional standards, plus exploring the envelope - keeping themselves interested along a bit of customer intrigue.

This blend of Semillon, Riesling and Gewürztraminer sees a bit of extended time on skins (7d) plus some gross lees contact once pressed off - think texture and then some.

It's more in the citrus, lychee, with a small muskiness sitting over vein. Less of the rose water/ turkish delight which Gewürz can dominate with. The palate sees a little spritzy minerality, an enlivening and awakening approach. Lemon barley and sherbet in the main sit squarely on the palate, somewhat mute - the texture the main play in this one. 89

Tasted on: Wednesday 4th April, a Flower to Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $18
Alcohol: 10%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://robertstein.com.au

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Cape Jaffa Mesmer Eyes White and Red blend 2016

Cape Jaffa Mesmer Eyes White and Red blend 2016

  08:30    Stu.

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Either my eyes deceive, or this wine - made of both red and white grape varieties - clocks in at 15% alcohol!

Curious aromatics, has that musky, rose and bergamot scent I so often see (seek?) in skin contact wines. 

It's lavish, thickly textured, berry driven palate. Something like macerated strawberry, and tinned peach syrup. I initially had this chilled as if a white wine (4c) and then allowed to come up to room temperature (19c) and preferred somewhere as a mid-point. At the lower temps it was rather suppressed; warmer it became a little viscous and a hint of bitterness creeping in. 

Creative and curious, adding colour to a shifting wine landscape. 90 

Tasted on: Sunday 11th March, a Fruit day 
Source: Sample
Price: $29
Alcohol: 15%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.capejaffawines.com.au

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Rymill gt Gewurztraminer 2017

Rymill gt Gewurztraminer 2017

  14:30    Stu.

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Has the muskiness one expects of the variety, married to a little of the lychee fruit. 

The palate is interesting, lean with an acidic pitch and phenolic edge that don't necessarily ignite. I paired this with a Tom Kha Gai that initially worked well, yet subsequently was found wanting. 

Taking this for a spin on Day 2, the aromatics settling - still the muskiness, a little rose water into the frame with supplementary vanilla bean. The palate has certainly eased into itself, the acid also somewhat subsiding, the phenolics a little coarser in contrast. Based on second taste 89  

Tasted on: Saturday 25th November, a Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: Dunno
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.rymill.com.au/

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Topper's Mountain Barrel Fermented Gewürztraminer 2015

Topper's Mountain Barrel Fermented Gewürztraminer 2015

  14:30    Stu.

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Has the muskiness, the Turkish Delight, albeit softened, and augmented by a gentle spice from the barrel fermentation.

Textural, lavish, spiced; it enlivens, gently tickles as it jives across the palate - spreading across the entire cavity. Fresh, dry and drinking well. Nicely offsets a little spice with its sweet edged nature. 92 

Tasted on: Wednesday 7th December, a Flowerday
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 13.8%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.toppers.com.au/

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Cape Jaffa 'Samphire' Skin Contact White 2015

Cape Jaffa 'Samphire' Skin Contact White 2015

  08:29    Stu.

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A blend of Chardonnay, Gewurtztraminer, Viognier that spent six months on skins with a further six months in barrel. It's a textural monster, full, lavish. Dry, chalky tannin, a little bitterness on the back palate, white pepper. 

It's not the strongest aromatically: there's a suggestion of stonefruit in the mix, particularly some dried apricot. A light squeeze of lemon. 

Hard to rate. 89 

Tasted on: Tuesday 16th August
Source: Sample
Price: $29
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.capejaffawines.com.au

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Pipers Brook Gewürztraminer 2015

Pipers Brook Gewürztraminer 2015

  08:30    Stu.

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Unequivocally, unmistakably, undoubtedly Gewürztraminer. Carries that beautiful mix of delicate Turkish delight and rose. There's a little musk, but rather it's more about the delicate floral perfume. 

Crisp, rather than textural, onset of spice that spreads across the palate. A line of citrus makes itself present, but is wanting for more depth of flavour. 

Lingers long, but could benefit from a little more presence for me. 91  

Tasted on: Thursday 4th August, a Leaf to Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://kreglingerwineestates.com/

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K1 Rosé 2016

K1 Rosé 2016

  06:17    Stu.

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Interesting composition, made from 55% Durif, 25% Merlot and 20% Gewurztraminer - all estate fruit.

Pours a bright maraschino cherry red, on approach offers plenty of rose, and red fruit by way of strawberry and cherry, augmented with a little spice.

Classic berry driven rosé that straddles a line between (mostly) sweet with a little savoury edge. Suggestive of a little vanilla, cranberry acids. 

Decent length: chill, relax, enjoy. 88 

Tasted on: Saturday 30th July, a Root to Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 11%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.winesbygeoffhardy.com.au/

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Chaffey Bros Wine Co Düfte Punkt White Blend 2015

Chaffey Bros Wine Co Düfte Punkt White Blend 2015

  07:02    Stu.

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Meaning the aromatic point - and boy does this beast live up to its, albeit Germanic, name.

A blend of Gewürztraminer, Riesling and Kerner - 41/38/21 respectively: musky, lychee, further tropical elements - aromatic complexity. 

Textural, nice acid line, dry and phenolic - there's a lot going on, and yet it's balanced and in synch. Has presence in the mouth, substantial volume, and the grip just creates a memory long present after the wine has slid down the throat. 93  

Tasted on: Saturday 9th April: Root day

Source: Cellar Door/Taste Eden Valley
Price: $24
Alcohol: 12.9%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.chaffeybroswine.com.au/

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Huntington Estate Gewürztraminer 2015

Huntington Estate Gewürztraminer 2015

  20:59    Stu.

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Classic lychee and Turkish delight, musk. 

Palate a touch cleaner, slighter of body, an earlier picked style (hence the sub-12% alcohol volume); flavoursome: suggestive of quince, persons fresh green herb. 

Good length, staying power: 91 

Tasted on: Tuesday 19th January: a fruit to root day
Source: Sample
Price: $22
Alcohol: 11.8%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://huntingtonestate.com.au/

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Topper's Mountain Bricolage Blanc 2014

Topper's Mountain Bricolage Blanc 2014

  14:45    Stu.

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Second release of this interesting white blend (2013) and a 'sister' to the 'Red Earth Child'.

Musk and rose water clear on the nose provide clues as to the presence of Gewürztraminer here. Residual hints of vanilla, creamy almond and cashew provide further hints, a little stonefruit suggestive of Viognier.

A wine of texture, substance - a little phenolic tug, good width and all round shape. Reminiscent of white rhone blends, in feel if not flavour. Good length - an impressive follow up to its debut. 92 

Tasted on: Monday 31st August, a Flower to Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 12.9%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.toppers.com.au/

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Topper's Mountain Barrel Ferment Gewürztraminer 2014

Topper's Mountain Barrel Ferment Gewürztraminer 2014

  19:47    Stu.

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A wine that could easily lay claim to the title of Australia's best Gewürztraminer, a title it may only be challenged by its stable-mate, or the Symphony Hill Gewürz from just over the border, but made with New England fruit.

A little oak here frames classic Gewürz aromatics: musk and rose water. The barrel fermentation has added depth and weight to the palate, it grows in stature as you contemplate it. 

A wonderfully balanced pitch of acid, a little grip, and seems dry, yet retains a little fruit sweetness. It just works. Bravo. 95

Tasted on: Wednesday 29th July, a Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: ?
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.toppers.com.au/

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Topper's Mountain Bricolage Blanc 2013

Topper's Mountain Bricolage Blanc 2013

  13:29    Stu.

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Curious blend, a partner to the Red Earth Child - interestingly bricolage means DIY, or "construction made of whatever materials are at hand; something created from a variety of available things". Appropriately here we have a mix of Chardonnay (60%), Gewürztraminer (20%), Petit Manseng (10%) and Sauvignon Blanc (10%).

Gewürz takes the lead here: rose, musk and turkish delight 'softness'; pear, mashed banana, a little honeyed note back it up.

Textured, a little honeyed, gentle phenolics with a good carry of flavour. Has a presence - nicely weighted - and balanced, not necessarily overtly dominated by any of its constituent parts. Tart citrus offered up toward the back palate.

On a decent length, finish is OK, but for me, it's more about the mid-weight and textural presence. 90

Tasted on: Friday 14th November, a Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 13.1%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://toppers.com.au/

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